When treatment meets research: clinical perspectives from the CSAT Methamphetamine Treatment Project

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2005 Apr;28(3):231-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2004.12.008.

Abstract

Integrating research-based treatments into clinical settings has become a priority in the substance abuse treatment field. This article examines the introduction of research, via manualized treatment (i.e., the Matrix Model), into community treatment settings that participated in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Methamphetamine Treatment Project, a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) that provided free treatment to 1016 methamphetamine-dependent individuals. With both empirical (qualitative) and anecdotal data from those involved clinically in the project, the article utilizes the framework of practitioner concerns set forth by Addis, Wade, and Hatgis (1999) to assess the issues realized during the implementation of this manualized treatment. Despite fairly smooth implementation of the model, the authors conclude that introducing manualized treatment in the context of an RCT may not be the best way to bring research-based treatment into the practice world.

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants*
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Methamphetamine*
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Program Evaluation
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / methods*
  • United States
  • United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Methamphetamine