Results of empirical studies of methadone treatment
Gmür, M.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 119(44): 1560-1570
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 2686006 Document Number: 334709
66 contributions in the current literature on methadone maintenance treatment (MMP) are reviewed and the retention rate, prognosis, predictors, side effects (i.e. alcoholism and polydrug abuse) and differences in treatment settings are discussed. The overall impression from research on thousands of methadone patients (predominantly in the Anglo-Saxon countries) is that MMPs are largely a palliative measure producing only incomplete or intermediate success in the patients' social rehabilitation (i.e. distancing from the drug subculture, decriminalization and ability to work). During pregnancy methadone treatment is strongly recommended as a transient policy due to the substance's comparatively few undesirable side effects. In future more consideration will have to be given to the interaction of the AIDS epidemic with methadone maintenance programs.