Biomedical subjects

R Melchionda

Publications and source records attributed to R Melchionda.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Client variables associated with selection and outcome in a methadone tapering program.

Based on archival information on 36 methadone maintenance patients, indicators of success in a methadone tapering program were investigated. None of the variables selected for study were found to differentiate successful from unsuccessful taperers. However, patients who were offered the opportunity to participate in the tapering program had significantly fewer years of heroin use prior to their admittance to a methadone maintenance program than patients in the general methadone maintenance population. In addition, the racial composition of patients attempting to taper included significantly fewer Black patients than the racial composition of the general methadone maintenance population. Possible explanations are offered.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A cognitive-existential analysis of counselor responses to HIV-positive substance misusers in an outpatient methadone program and a residential therapeutic community.

Counselors of HIV-afflicted substance abusers not only must apply counseling strategies directed toward curbing drug use, but also are called upon to assess suicide risk, attend to the promotion of social support, treat adverse affective reactions, and respond to spiritual and existential concerns. The present study attempted to explore systematically the self-reported feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of counselors as they confront such demands. All counselors reported experiencing increased stress as a result of working with HIV-afflicted clients, and cognitive distortions were sometimes noted in counselor responses. However, more generally, thoughts seemed clearly formulated, and planned behaviors appeared directed toward rendering the best treatment possible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1986

Retention and outcome in a narcotic antagonist treatment program.

Investigations of outpatient narcotic antagonist programs have found high attribution rates when compared to such modalities as methadone. Moreover, outcome studies generally are lacking. The present study followed 50 patients through their course of treatment at an outpatient clinic of the Nassau County Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction. Retention was found to average 69.22 days. This was slightly higher than the average found by other investigators. Patients in the present study who remained longer were similar demographically to those who dropped out early, but were found to enter treatment with more stable employment records and less recent opiate use. They also appeared more successful at termination, with better vocational stability, less extraneous drug use, and greater acceptance of referrals to other treatment. Identification of the needs of individuals at greater risk for premature termination can serve as a basis for refining treatment efforts.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Outreach redefined: the impact on staff attitudes of a family education project.

We decided to implement a family education program in our methadone maintenance clinic as a means of reaching out to family members. In the course of designing and implementing the program, we uncovered a variety of problems concerned with staff's perception of their roles and their attitudes toward parents. This paper discusses the growing awareness of these problems, which seem to be of significant generic importance to any agency involved in setting up a new program. We also discuss the effects of these problems, attempts at resolution, and suggest some general criteria for evaluation.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗