Staying off methadone maintenance

Methadone maintenance is again receiving attention as an intervention for needle use/sharing among intravenous drug users. A major criticism is that methadone has its own addictive properties; consequently, the client is unable to detoxify and stay off opioids permanently. Study respondents had been off methadone for several years and offered their strategies for success. Motivating forces included the freedom and rewards, such as pride and respect. The following helped individuals to get off and stay off methadone: avoidance of opioids; treatment affiliation to supply ideology and to structure and fill free time; employment; social supports, specifically family and role models; modest plans to avoid disappointment; effective coping skills to avoid depression; and aging and burning out. In addition, those individuals who had immersed themselves in the conventional world, especially those having a higher social class status, had a less difficult time staying off methadone.