A comparative study of family therapy in the treatment of opiate users in a London drug clinic

This study presents the results of a randomized treatment trial of family therapy and two control treatments for 119 outpatient opiate users. All treatments were combined with a methadone reduction programme. The control treatments were: (1) a ‘standard’ treatment (supportive psychotherapy) and (2) a ‘low contact’ intervention. Treatment outcome was evaluated six and twelve months after the initial assessment. Both the family therapy and minimal intervention groups had a significantly higher number of drug–free days at six and twelve months, compared to the standard treatment, despite receiving fewer treatment sessions. Across all treatments there was evidence for a gender difference in response to therapy in users who were in a couple relationship. In couples where both partners were using drugs women did significantly better than men. Men living with a non–drug–abusing partner fared better than men living with a drug–using partner. Across the treatment groups diminution in drug use was accompanied by improvements in psychosocial functioning. Unemployment, sharing needles and injecting drugs were predictive of poor outcome.