Acceptance Therapy During Methadone Detoxification

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston56 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to develop an opiate detoxification behavior therapy based on current Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) theory and method, and to test its feasibility and promise in the context of voluntary methadone detoxification.

This Stage I pilot study will employ a randomized, controlled, between groups design in which 70 opiate dependent patients seeking methadone detoxification will be randomized into one of two treatment conditions: ACT opiate detoxification therapy or Drug Counseling. Both therapies will be delivered in the context of a 5-month methadone dose reduction based on a linear dosing strategy. Efficacy variables will include: (1) abstinence rates during and 1-month after detoxification as assessed by regular urine screens; (2) retention of patients in treatment; and (3) patient satisfaction and treatment acceptability. Reduction in HIV/Hepatitis C risk behaviors and changes in psychosocial functioning (e.g., employment, family, legal) will also be explored, along with mediators/moderators of the therapy (i.e., experiential avoidance). Subjects will be recruited from Houston area methadone clinics and the general community via advertising and will receive methadone as part of this protocol. A 2-4 week stabilization period will precede the 5-month methadone dose reduction. During the dose reduction, participants will attend the clinic twice each week and will receive weekly therapy. Participants will be contacted for follow up assessments up to one month post treatment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Opiate Dependence

Interventions

Behavior TherapyBEHAVIORAL

The Act-ODT intervention will consist of 24 50-minute sessions delivered weekly in the context of a methadone dose reduction program. Sessions will begin during the methadone run-up/stabilization period approximately 4 weeks prior to the onset of dose reduction and will continue through the 20 week detoxification.

Drug CounselingBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 25 through 60 * Dependent upon opiates (heroin/methadone) according to DSM-IV criteria * Using heroin/methadone for at least 5 years * Endorse 7 or higher on a 10-point motivation for opiate detoxification item * In good physical and psychiatric health * Able to read, speak, and understand English * Willing and able to meet study requirements * Willing to participate in the 1 month follow up session * Able to provide the name of at least one person who can generally locate them * Attending a licensed methadone clinic regularly with opiate (other than methadone) negative urine screens in the past month. * Intake screen negative for opiates (other than methadone) * \>110 lbs \& body mass index between 18 and 28 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Younger than 25 and older than 60 years of age * Current dependence on other substances * Severe medical, cognitive, and/or psychiatric impairment that precludes cooperation with study protocol * Current and severe psychiatric symptoms requiring medical attention * Current substance withdrawal symptoms requiring medical attention * Unable to read, speak, and understand English * Unwillingness of women of child bearing age to use contraception * Currently receiving other psychosocial therapy for substance abuse (12-step meetings are ok) * Impending incarceration * Unable or unwilling to meet study requirements, including provision of signed consent * Less than 7 on a 10-point motivation for opiate detoxification scale * no documentation of monitored methadone use * non-methadone opiate positive urine screen in the past month according to self-report

Locations (1)

University of Texas Medical School- Houston; Department of Psychiatry; Mental Sciences Institute

Houston, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Substance use

Time frame: Baseline, twice a week, end of study, one month after the study, 6 months after the study

HIV/HCV risk behaviors

Time frame: Intake, week 9, week 19

Secondary Outcomes

Retention

Time frame: twice a week

Client adherence

Time frame: twice a week

Psychosocial functioning

Time frame: baseline and once a month

Treatment satisfaction

Time frame: once a month

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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