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Withdrawal from methadone maintenance. Impact of a tapering network support program
J L Sorensen1, M Trier, S Brummett
1University of California, San Francisco.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Providing enhanced tapering and aftercare support did not significantly improve outcomes for individuals withdrawing from methadone treatment for heroin addiction. Further improvements in methadone maintenance treatment are needed for successful withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Methadone maintenance treatment is a cornerstone for managing heroin addiction.
- Successful withdrawal from methadone is a critical goal for many patients.
- Existing tapering protocols may require enhancement to support sustained abstinence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an enriched tapering and aftercare program compared to standard care for methadone-dependent individuals seeking withdrawal.
- To identify factors influencing successful methadone tapering and cessation.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 114 participants across six outpatient methadone clinics.
- Participants motivated for methadone withdrawal were assigned to either an enriched program (tapering, aftercare) or a control group (written materials).
- Outcomes measured included reaching 0 mg of methadone and dose reduction during the study period.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was observed between the enriched program and control groups in achieving 0 mg methadone or reducing their dosage.
- Participant motivation and predictive criteria for success did not correlate with differential outcomes between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The current enriched tapering and aftercare model did not yield superior results compared to standard written materials for methadone withdrawal.
- Enhancing the quality of methadone maintenance treatment is crucial for improving the success rates of patient withdrawal.
- Further research is needed to develop more effective interventions for opioid use disorder treatment and cessation.
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