Can heroin-dependent individuals benefit from a methadone maintenance treatment program before they drop out against medical advice? A 12-month follow-up study.

Abstract

AIM:

Little is known about whether heroin-dependent individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) who were discharged involuntarily and against medical advice (DAMA) get benefits before they left. The aims of this 12-month follow-up study were to examine whether the effects of MMT on depressive symptoms, heroin dependence and quality of life (QOL) are different among the non-DAMA group, the DAMA group, and the involuntarily discharged group, as well as the time effect of receiving MMT on changes in these three outcome indicators.

METHOD:

A total of 266 individuals receiving MMT were divided into the non-DAMA group, the DAMA group, and the involuntarily discharged group. Participants were interviewed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment for levels of depressive symptoms, heroin dependence and QOL.

RESULTS:

The levels of depressive symptoms, heroin dependence and QOL in all three groups improved after receiving MMT for 3 months and the improvement was maintained during the MMT period. There were no significant differences in the three outcome indicators among the three groups.

CONCLUSION:

The results support the concept that heroin-dependent individuals benefit from MMT, even if they do not want to stay in the program or drop out involuntarily.

• Authors: Peng-Wei Wang, Hung-Chi Wu, Huang-Chi Lin, Chia-Nan Yen, Yi-Chun Yeh, Kuan-Sheng Chung, Hsun-Cheng Chang, Cheng-Fang Yen
• Journal: European addiction research (Eur Addict Res) Vol. 19 Issue 3 Pg. 155-64 ( 2013) ISSN: 1421-9891 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 23182770 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Methadone

Topics

• Adult
• Depression (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heroin Dependence (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Methadone (therapeutic use)
• Opiate Substitution Treatment (psychology)
• Patient Discharge
• Patient Dropouts (psychology)
• Quality of Life (psychology)
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous (complications, drug therapy, psychology)