A Bridge to Treatment: The Therapeutic Workplace and Methadone Treatment

Inclusion Criteria

• •at least 18 years old,
• •reported injection drug use in the past 30 days,
• •met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV criteria for opioid dependence,
• •reported using heroin at least 21 out of the past 30 days,
• •provided an opiate-positive urine sample,
• •showed visible signs of injection drug use (i.e., track marks),
• •reported not receiving substance abuse treatment in the past 30 days,
• •lived in Baltimore,
• •and were unemployed.
• •Participants were excluded if they
• •had current severe psychiatric disorders or chronic medical conditions that would interfere with their ability to participate in the workplace,
• •reported current suicidal or homicidal ideation,
• •had physical limitations that would prevent them from using a keyboard,
• •had medical insurance coverage (as this would disqualify them from receiving interim methadone treatment),
• •were pregnant or breastfeeding,
• •or were currently considered a prisoner.
• •Eligible participants were invited to participate in a 4-week induction. Participants who attended the workplace for at least five minutes on two out of five workdays in the last week of induction were randomly assigned to one of three conditions and were invited to attend the workplace for an additional 26 weeks