The Therapeutic Workplace Initiation Study (NCT00249470) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The Therapeutic Workplace Initiation Study
United States117 participantsStarted 2003-04
Plain-language summary
The primary purpose of the study is to determine if the central feature of the Therapeutic Workplace, the abstinence reinforcement contingency, is critical to initiate cocaine abstinence in injection drug using methadone patients who use cocaine consistently during methadone treatment. All subjects initially will be invited to attend the Therapeutic Workplace for an initial period, but abstinence will not be required to work during that time. During this initial period, vouchers will be contingent only on workplace attendance and performance on the training programs. Subjects (n=70) who attend the workplace consistently during the first 4 weeks of treatment, but who continue to use cocaine will be randomly assigned to a Work Only or an Abstinence Plus Work group. Subjects in the Work Only group will continue to be able to work independent of their urinalysis results. However, subjects in the Abstinence Plus Work group will be required to provide urine samples that show evidence of recent cocaine abstinence. Subjects in both groups will be invited to stay in the workplace for 6 months. We expect the subjects in the Abstinence and Work group will achieve higher rates of abstinence than the subjects in the Work Only group. This result would show that the abstinence reinforcement contingency (i.e., the requirement to provide cocaine-free urine samples to work and earn vouchers) is important in the initiation of abstinence in the study population.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Baseline inclusion criteria:
* are at least 18 years of age
* are enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment in Baltimore
* provide a cocaine-positive urine sample at time of initial screening
* self-report cocaine use through intravenous route
* have visible evidence of intravenous drug use (i.e., track marks).
Baseline exclusion criteria:
* report current suicidal ideation
* if the individual reports hallucinations
* have physical limitations (e.g., broken fingers) that prevent the subject from typing.
* Applicants reporting hallucinations are excluded because this is a characteristic of a psychiatric disorder that is likely to result in behaviors that could disrupt the workplace or functioning or limit their ability to provide informed consent.
Main study inclusion criteria:
* have attended the workplace regularly during 4-week baseline periods
* are still in methadone maintenance treatment at the end of the 4-week baseline period
* have provided at least two urine samples that test positive for cocaine during the baseline period
* Individuals who are excluded from the main study will be allowed to complete their 8-week training program in the Therapeutic Workplace. They may also be invited to participate in other studies ongoing at the Center for Learning and Health where this research takes place.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.