Scaling-up interim methadone maintenance: treatment for 1,000 heroin-addicted individuals

The objectives of this study were to determine the following: (a) the feasibility of expanding interim methadone treatment (IM), (b) the impact of IM on heroin and cocaine use, and (c) the effect of charging a modest fee for IM. Six clinics provided daily methadone plus emergency counseling only (IM) to heroin-addicted individuals on a waiting list for treatment. IM was provided for up to 120 days before transfer to regular methadone treatment. Drug testing was conducted at admission to IM and at transfer to methadone treatment program (MTP). Half the patients were charged $10/week for IM. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of fee status and other variables on transfer. Of 1,000 patients enrolled in IM, 762 patients (76.2%) were admitted to a regular MTP. For those who transferred (n = 762), opioid-positive tests decreased from 89.6% to 38.4%; cocaine, from 49.9% to 44.9% from admission to transfer. Logistic regression analysis indicated that fee status at baseline was not significantly associated with transfer. When limited public resources create waiting lists, IM can allow additional patients to sharply reduce heroin use while waiting for admission to MTP.