Table 3 Summary of evidence-based methamphetamine use group treatment for adults

Jaffe et al., 2007 [70]

145 methamphetamine-dependent (DSM-IV) gay and bisexual males.

Mean age 37 years, 100% male, 80% White,12% Hispanic.

1. CBT (control condition; 90-min group, 48 session available)

2. Contingency management (CM) (Participants did not need to attend CBT sessions they were only provided vouchers for attending clinic visits)

3. CBT + CM (90-min groups + opportunity to earn vouchers)

4. “Gay Specific” CBT (90-min group session occurred three times per week)

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes

4. Did not report

RAWC; No follow up reported.

Participants’ in the “Gay Specific” CBT condition reported the most rapid decline in levels of methamphetamine use relative to the other 3 treatment conditions. Participants’ in the control condition reported the highest rates of methamphetamine use.

Rawson et al., 2004 [71]

Rawson et al., 2002) [62].

978 treatment seeking individuals with methamphetamine abuse or dependence (DSM-IV checklist), without medical detoxification from opioids/alcohol/ other drugs. Mean age 33 years, 55% female, 18% Hispanic.

1. Treatment as usual (TAU; contact with site 1–13 h. per week).

2. Matrix Model (MM; 16-weeks; 36 cognitive behavioral therapy groups, 12 family education groups, 4 social support groups, 4 individual counseling sessions, combined with weekly testing for cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, cannabis and benzodiazepines. 12-Step meetings encouraged.

1. No

2. Yes

RAWC; 6-month f/u, 81% f/u rate at post-tx, 86% f/u rate at 6-months. Mean tx contact in TAU was 12 sessions, mean tx contact for Matrix group was 27 sessions.

MM participants attended more sessions, stayed in treatment longer, provided more methamphetamine-free urine samples during the treatment and had longer periods of abstinence than TAU. Drug use and functioning at discharge and 6-month f/u indicate significant improvement by participants in all sites and conditions, but the superiority of MM approach did not persist at f/u.

Roll et al., 2013 [72]

118 participants with methamphetamine dependence (DSM-IV checklist) without a recent suicide attempt (past 30 days), suicidal ideation, parole status or history of violent criminal behavior, and medical condition that could interfere with treatment

1. Standard psychosocial treatment (ST) based on the Matrix Model

2. ST + 1 month of CM

3. ST + 2 months of CM

4. ST + 4 months of CM

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. Yes

RAWC; Retention rates were: 37% completed ST, 67% completed 1 month of CM, 53% completed 2 months of CM, 76% completed 4 months of CM. Post-treatment 4 month f/u; 42% for the ST condition, 43% for the 1 month of CM, 62% for the 2 month of CM, and 64% for the 4 month CM.

The standard treatment group was significantly different from the 4-month CM condition. The group conditions remained abstinent as follows: 3.4% of the ST condition, 13.3% of 1 month of CM condition, 20.0% of the 2-month condition, and 34.5% of the 4 month CM condition. Participants in the 4-month CM condition were more likely to attend f/u session and submit negative urine samples than participants in the ST condition. Results indicated that attendance, consecutive days of methamphetamine abstinence, and the number of participants who remained 100% or 80% abstinent throughout the trial increased as the duration of CM went up.

Shoptaw et al., 2006 [73]

229 treatment seeking individuals with methamphetamine abuse or dependence (SCID) and without medical condition, current treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a psychiatric condition, or dependence on opioids, cocaine, alcohol, or benzodiazepines. Mean age 33 years, 38% female, 23% Latino.

2-week non-medication baseline with 12 weeks of medication tx and:

1. Sertraline plus Contingency Management (S-CM; 4 weekly relapse prevention groups, three times per week)

2. Sertraline-only (S)

3. Placebo medication plus CM (P-CM)

4. Placebo medication (P)

1.Yes

2. No

3. Yes

4. No

RAWC; post-treatment f/u; 50.7% completed all 14 weeks of the trial.

No effects for sertraline or CM in reducing methamphetamine use were observed. S had significantly poorer retention and produced significantly more adverse events than P-CM or P. More participants in CM conditions achieved three consecutive weeks of methamphetamine abstinence than those in non-CM conditions.