OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the efficacy of a multicomponent
behavioral treatment and drug abuse counseling for cocaine-dependent
individuals. METHOD: The 38 patients were enrolled in outpatient treatment
and were randomly assigned to the two treatments. Counseling in the
behavioral treatment was based on the community reinforcement approach,
while the drug abuse counseling was based on the disease model of
dependence and recovery. Patients in the behavioral, but not the drug
counseling, treatment also received incentives contingent on submitting
cocaine-free urine specimens. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients who received
behavioral treatment, 58% completed 24 weeks of treatment, versus 11% of
the patients who received counseling. In the behavioral treatment group 68%
and 42% of the patients achieved at least 8 and 16 weeks of documented
continuous cocaine abstinence, respectively, versus 11% and 5% in the drug
abuse counseling group. CONCLUSIONS: This multicomponent behavioral
treatment appears to be an effective intervention for retaining outpatients
in treatment and establishing cocaine abstinence.Abstract Teaser