Medication take-home as a reinforcer in a methadone maintenance program

The opportunity to take methadone doses home from the clinic can be used as a reinforcer in contingency management procedures to promote desirable behavior among a population of methadone maintenance clients. This was demonstrated by delivering take-home privileges contingent upon attendance at counseling sessions. Sixteen methadone maintenance clients were selected on the basis of their low attendance rates at individual counseling sessions. During five successive 2-month periods, weekend (2 days) medication take-home privileges were either contingent upon attendance at a weekly counseling session lasting at least 45 min or were given to clients non-contingently. During periods of contingent delivery of the take-home privilege, counseling attendance increased significantly above levels observed during period of non- contigent delivery.