Client types in different drug abuse treatments: comparisons of follow-up outcomes

Differences in background characteristics of 1,812 Black and White male opioid addicts were used as the basis for defining profiles of "typical" clients assigned to methadone maintenance (MM), therapeutic community (TC), and outpatient drug-free (DF) programs. The three client types defined by these profiles, especially reflecting variations in criminal history and legal involvement, were compared using a composite outcome measure for drug use, criminality, and employment during the first year posttreatment. There were significant outcome differences among the client types, and the client type with greater criminal involvement had the poorest outcomes. The outcomes of clients in MM, TC, and DF treatments were not significantly different from one another, but they were significantly more favorable than those for clients in outpatient detoxification and a comparison intake-only group. The major finding, however, was the lack of evidence for an optimal match between client types and treatment types leading to better posttreatment outcomes of clients.