NIDA-CTN-0004

Early dropout, partial attendance, and early relapse are common occurrences in most substance abuse treatment programs. Because the bulk of attrition occurs very early in treatment and retention in treatment has been linked to better outcomes, identifying effective, practical means of enhancing initial treatment engagement and outcome is an important target for the Clinical Trials Network. Motivational Enhancement Treatment (MET) is a systematic intervention approach based on the principles of motivational psychology that utilize motivational strategies to mobilize the client's own change resources. A considerable body of research for more than two decades has shown strong support for the usefulness of motivational interventions in initiating treatment and in reducing use of alcohol, cigarettes, and abused drugs. This protocol will test the therapeutic usefulness of incorporating MET into the standard drug abuse treatment entry process of Community Treatment Programs on improving treatment engagement, retention, and outcome.