Baseline risk factors for drug use among African-American patients during first-month induction/stabilization on methadone

Drug use during methadone induction/stabilization negatively influences later methadone-maintenance-treatment [MMT] outcomes (retention, abstinence). Our study examined the association of baseline risk factors to drug use during the first month of methadone treatment as well as longer-term treatment retention. We conducted these analyses among a race/ethnic minority group at high risk for worse MMT outcomes. African-American MMT patients (N = 212) were interviewed at intake to assess clinical (drug use history), psychosocial (close family member substance abuse, psychosocial problems), and demographic factors. Outcomes were first-month opioid+ and cocaine+ urine drug screen [UDS] results and retention (days in treatment). In bivariate analyses, co-occurring cocaine abuse/dependence was associated with worse outcomes for opioid+ UDS, cocaine+ UDS, and retention. Being a primary injection opioid user and residing farther from the clinic were associated with a higher proportion of cocaine+ UDS and shorter retention, respectively. Patients with a significant other substance abuse history provided a higher proportion of both opioid+ and cocaine+ UDS. Sibling and parent substance abuse histories were associated with a higher proportion of opioid+ UDS and shorter retention. Psychosocial problems (economic, housing) were associated with a higher proportion of cocaine+ UDS. In multivariate analyses, co-occurring cocaine abuse/dependence and primary injection opioid use best accounted for first-month opioid+ and cocaine+ UDS, respectively. A higher proportion of first-month opioid+ and cocaine+ UDS and living farther from the clinic accounted for retention. African-American patients reporting baseline risk factors (particularly clinical) experience worse short- and long-term MMT outcomes. Recommendations for improving standards of care are discussed.