Related Experiment Videos
Alcohol consumption in persons on methadone maintenance therapy
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Patients in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTP) consume significant alcohol. However, alcohol consumption decreases over time for active alcoholics (AA) and inactive alcoholics (IA) participating in MMTP.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alcohol use is common among patients in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTP).
- There is a perception that patients increase alcohol consumption while on MMTP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define alcohol consumption patterns in opioid-dependent individuals.
- To examine changes in alcohol use associated with methadone maintenance therapy.
Main Methods:
- Collected two-day alcohol consumption (2-day EtOH) and blood alcohol levels (BAL) data.
- Participants were part of a randomized controlled trial for alcoholism intervention.
- Classified participants as active alcoholics (AA), inactive alcoholics (IA), or nonalcoholics (NA).
Main Results:
- Active alcoholics (AA) and inactive alcoholics (IA) had significantly higher 2-day EtOH and BAL than nonalcoholics (NA).
- 2-day EtOH and BAL were significantly higher for AA than IA.
- Alcohol consumption (2-day EtOH) significantly decreased over time for AA, IA, and NA groups.
Conclusions:
- Opioid-dependent patients, including those in MMTP, consume substantial amounts of alcohol.
- Participation in MMTP is associated with a decrease in alcohol consumption over time.
- MMTP may have broader positive effects beyond reducing opioid use.