<![CDATA[Background: Methadone is used worldwide as an effective treatment for clients with heroindependence. Methadone maintenance therapy aims to reduce opioid dependence, yet most patientsstill use at least one psychoactive substance. Studies have shown that counseling can help clientsresolve drug dependence. This study is aimed to determine whether counseling is effective to reducedrug use score at methadone maintenance clinic.Methods: This study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study sample consistedof 28 subjects who undertook methadone maintenance treatment program at Dr.Moewardi Hospitaland Manahan Public Health Center in Surakarta. This sample was divided into 2 groups, consisting of agroup of 14 subjects who received and another group of 14 subjects who did not receivedcounseling.Multiple linear regression analysis was run to determine the effectiveness of counseling toreduce drug use score. While controlling for the effect of baseline drug use score and recent methadonedose.Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant effect of counseling onreducing drug use score, after controlling for the effect of baseline drug use score and recent metahdonedose. The group of subjects who received counseling had drug use score 26 points lower than thosewho who did not receive counseling(b= - 26.19; 95%CI -48.30 to 4.09; p= 0.023).Conclusion: Counselling is effective to reduce drug use score at methadone maintenance clinic.Keywords: counseling, drug use, methadone, maintenance.]]>
