Methadone Maintenance Therapy Decreases Arrests

March 4th, 2010

Previous observational reports of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) suggest that MMT reduces criminal activity. Treatment with methadone often includes medication and counseling; interim methadone (IM) provides medication alone in an effort to reduce costs. In this clinical trial, investigators randomized patients awaiting entry into a comprehensive MMT program to receive either IM (n=198) or to a waiting list (n=119). Interim methadone, providing no counseling, was offered for up to 120 days. After controlling for potential confounders, investigators compared retention in treatment among patients in both groups at 6 and 12 months.

Published In: Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence a project of the Boston Medical Center issue September/October 2009. Access checked 1/10/10. Hillary Kunins, MD, MPH, MS

Posted in Opioid Treatment Programs
Upcoming Events
10/26/2010
Making Sense of Addiction @ Lenoir Memorial Hospital
10/26/2010
Safer Opioid Prescribing @ Chef and The Farmer (Kinston, NC)
4/29/2011
Addiction Medicine 2011

A Project of the Governor's Institute on Alcohol & Substance Abuse and the North Carolina Society of Addiction Medicine.
Funded wholly or in part by the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Fund (CFDA #93.959) as a project of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Services.