Methadone Treatment for Opioid Dependence

A comprehensive look at various aspects of the widely used medication for treatment of opioid dependence - methadone. Methadone eases withdrawal symptoms and blocks the sensation of the "high" if the person should take an opioid. But as the authors note, methadone treatment is more than simply the delivery of the medication - it is a combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. The latter can include individual and group therapies, urine testing, education and vocation training, medical and psychiatric treatment of co-morbid conditions, and other services appropriate to the needs of the patient. When delivered properly, methadone treatment can be effective in decreasing illicit drug use and increasing prosocial behaviours in patients. The authors, all faculty members of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - provide a historical overview of methadone treatment, as well as a review of the regulations associated with the treatment. While important principles and theory are thoroughly examined, the emphasis throughout is on such practical issues as dosing, urine testing, detoxification schedules and contingency management.