Methadone Maintenance vs 180-Day Psychosocially Enriched Detoxification for Treatment of Opioid Dependence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Article Abstract:

Opioid detoxification over a six-month period does not appear to be more effective than methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). MMT is effective for treating opioid addiction, but methadone is also addictive. Researchers randomly assigned 154 drug addicts to receive MMT or a six-month detoxification program that included psychosocial therapy, education and group therapy. Drug users in the MMT group were more likely to comply with treatment and less likely to use heroin than those in the detoxification group.

Detoxification (Substance abuse treatment)

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Treatment for Opioid Dependence: Quality and Access

Article Abstract:

A study from Scotland shows that primary care physicians can begin giving methadone maintenance treatment to patients with heroin addiction. The best approach is to have the patient take the methadone under supervision at a pharmacy. This can triple or quadruple the number of patients who can receive methadone maintenance, since centralized clinics only treat about 14% of those who need treatment. Another study showed that methadone maintenance was more effective than detoxification, which has also been shown in other studies. Intensive psychosocial support does not appear to be cost-effective either.

Editorial

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Liver Transplantation and Opioid Dependence

Article Abstract:

Most of the liver transplant programs belonging to the United Network of Organ Sharing accept patients with alcoholism or other addictions and most require treatment for the addiction. Intravenous drug use is the major risk factor for hepatitis C, which may be severe enough to require a transplant.

Hospitals, Surveys, Liver, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, Liver transplantation

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