Comparison of Progress of Patients with Professional and Paraprofessional Counselors in a Methadone Maintenance Program

Abstract

The progress of 2 groups of patients on methadone maintenance were compared by examining urine results for use or nonuse of illicit drugs, attainment of a drug-free status, employment, continuous time in treatment and take-out-of-clinic medication (an assessment of a patient''s overall progress as determined by the treatment team). Paraprofessional counselors (4) with an average education level of 12.7 yr followed group A patients while 5 master''s degree trained counselors (5) followed group B patients.