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Problem drinkers among patients on methadone.

J F Maddux, B Elliott

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

|January 1, 1975

Summary

A study of 212 former heroin users on methadone found 27% were problem drinkers. These individuals showed more depression, liver disease, and manual labor, suggesting depression may drive chronic opioid use.

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Area of Science:

Addiction Medicine
Psychiatry
Hepatology

Background:

Opioid dependence is a significant public health issue.
Methadone maintenance therapy is a common treatment for opioid use disorder.
Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are prevalent in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence of problem drinking among patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy.
To identify characteristics differentiating problem drinkers from non-problem drinkers in this cohort.
To explore the potential role of depression in opioid use and co-occurring alcohol problems.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study of 212 former heroin users undergoing methadone maintenance.
Assessment of problem drinking status.
Comparison of demographic, personal, and clinical characteristics between problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers.
Evaluation of depression levels compared to normal controls.

Main Results:

27% of patients on methadone maintenance were identified as problem drinkers.
Problem drinkers showed significantly more manual labor, evidence of liver disease, and higher depression scores.
All subjects on methadone exhibited higher depression levels than normal controls.

Conclusions:

Problem drinking is common in individuals maintained on methadone.
Depression appears to be a significant factor associated with both chronic opioid use and problem drinking.
Further research into the etiological role of depression in opioid use disorder is warranted.

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