This paper describes the consequences of changing from methadone maintenance treatment focussed primarily on elimination of all illicit drug use and social reintegration to patient-centred care. Counselling (formerly mandatory) became optional, patients were retained in treatment despite continued illicit drug use, the ceiling on methadone doses was removed, patient input became a part of methadone prescribing and the number of patients in treatment more than doubled. Across three cohorts (before, during and after the program was redesigned) the mean daily dose of methadone increased (50.4 mg +/- 2.5, 72.6 mg +/- 2.4, 92.2 mg +/- 4.0, respectively). The number of physician visits increased linearly with cohort while the number of therapist visits was unchanged overall. Two-year treatment retention was not significantly different (73%, 69% and 67%, respectively). In all three cohorts there was a significant reduction in opioid and benzodiazepine use but not cocaine use over the first six months of treatment.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J069v22n03_03 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Opioid agonist therapy discontinuation in British Columbia: a cross-sectional study of people who access harm reduction services.
BMJ Open
January 2025
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Objectives: This study evaluates the prevalence and correlates of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) discontinuation across British Columbia (BC), using a sample of individuals who used substances and accessed harm reduction sites.
Design: This study uses data from the 2019 cross-sectional Harm Reduction Client Survey (HRCS).
Setting: The 2019 survey was administered from October to December at 22 harm reduction supply distribution sites across the 5 Regional Health Authorities of BC.
Investigating gender dynamics in forensic toxicology: The role of masculinity and femininity in alcohol and drug abuse.
Adv Clin Exp Med
January 2025
Institute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Italy.
The concept of "gender" refers to the socially constructed characteristics that define feminine or masculine behavior, which are constantly changing and can influence access to healthcare and patterns of help-seeking. These factors significantly impact forensic toxicology, a key area within the medicolegal landscape, forcing the adoption of a gender-sensitive approach to better understand the differing impacts of substances on men and women. Research indicates significant disparities in drug use between genders; men are more likely to abuse alcohol and illicit drugs, while women tend to use prescription medications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeterogeneity in Risk and Implications for Hepatitis C Reinfection in People Who Inject Drugs in England.
J Viral Hepat
February 2025
Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and health economic burden. Over 90% of HCV cases in England occur in people who inject drugs (PWID). Current treatments for HCV are effective but do not protect against reinfection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRacial and ethnic discrimination and DSM-5 substance use disorders among U.S. adults.
J Stud Alcohol Drugs
January 2025
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Objective: Racial and ethnic discrimination is a risk factor for substance use among United States adults. However, whether discrimination is associated with substance use disorders (SUDs) overall and by race and ethnicity is less understood.
Methods: We used data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (n=35,355) and defined past-year discrimination as a summary scale (range: 0-4).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!