Intensive Outpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment With Buprenorphine Among African Americans

This two-group randomized clinical trial will test the effectiveness of intensive outpatient
(IOP) v. standard outpatient (OP) treatment in 272 heroin-dependent African American adults
receiving buprenorphine in 3 formerly "drug-free" programs. Participants will be randomly
assigned to one of the two treatment intensity conditions at intake and assessed at
baseline, 3-, and 6-months post-baseline to determine treatment retention, frequency and
severity of heroin and cocaine use, self-reported HIV-risk, quality of life, and to
determine DSM-IV criteria for Full or Partial Remission of Opioid Dependence. Furthermore,
patient factors potentially critical for treatment success (e.g., attitudes towards
buprenorphine and average buprenorphine dose while in treatment) will be examined to
determine their importance in influencing treatment outcomes. Moreover, both patient and
staff attitudes and average buprenorphine dose will be evaluated to determine their
respective relationships to treatment experiences and treatment retention.