Part 1: Following a brief telephone screening, fathers who qualify for the study are given appointments to complete two research assessments that focus on issues relevant to their roles as fathers. Each assessment takes two to three hours to complete. Except under special circumstances that are reviewed with all fathers, all participation is confidential.

Part 2: If fathers are eligible to participate, a special computer program will assign each father to one of two groups. Half the men will be assigned to receive individual counseling that will focus on problems men in drug abuse treatment sometimes have as fathers. These counseling sessions will be held every week for 45 or 50 minutes. The other half will be assigned to simply continue their usual methadone program.

Expectations: If fathers are eligible to participate and assigned to receive individual counseling, they are expected to be available every week for 45 or 60 minutes for five months. In addition, every four weeks, for the next seven months all fathers are expected to be available to complete a 2-3 hour interview and some questionnaires. Also, every week a quick 15 -minute report of drug and alcohol use and involvement with children will be collected at the methadone clinic. Each time a research check is completed fathers will be paid for their time.

Risks and Benefits: There are no serious risks associated with participation in this study. All fathers are eligible to receive up to $340.00 compensation for their time For each of the two evaluations completed at the beginning of the study each father will be paid $30.00. Five-dollar payments follow every week for each brief research check completed, and $20.00 for each monthly research check completed. Five-dollar bonuses are also paid if monthly checks are done on time. (Yale University School of Medicine HIC #9955)

Faculty: Thomas McMahon, Ph.D. (Principle Investigator)

Nancy Suchman, Ph.D. (Investigator)

Suniya S. Luthar, Ph.D. (Investigator)

Kathleen Carroll, Ph.D. (Investigator)

Bruce Rounsaville, M.D. (Investigator)

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Contact: Francis Giannini (Project Coordinator) 203-932-5711 ext.7422

Lance Barnes (Research Assistant) 203-932-5711 ext.7429