Trends in substance abuse and infectious disease over 20 years in a large methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic in Israel.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The objective was to study substance abuse, infectious disease, and patient outcomes (retention and substance abuse abstinence) over 2 decades in a large methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) facility within a tertiary-referral medical center.

METHODS:

Prevalence of substance abuse was determined monthly between 1993 (35 patients) and 2013 (350 patients) based on observed random urine tests. On entry, patients were tested for hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. One-year retention and substance abuse abstinence were calculated.

RESULTS:

At admission, mean age and rate of cocaine and benzodiazepines abuse increased over the years, with no change in the prevalence of hepatitis C (50%) and HIV (<10%). Retention rate increased (P = .008) (range: 42.9%-92.4%; overall: 76.2%) and opiate abstinence also increased (P = .006) (range: 49.1%-85.7%; overall: 68.1%), reflecting outcome improvement over the years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Outcome improvement could be attributed to the staff's growing experience and improvements in treatment but also to changes in patient characteristics over the past 2 decades.

• Authors: Einat Peles, Shaul Schreiber, Miriam Adelson
• Journal: Substance abuse (Subst Abus) Vol. 35 Issue 3 Pg. 226-9 ( 2014) ISSN: 1547-0164 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24701983 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Methadone

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• HIV Seroprevalence (trends)
• Hepatitis C (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Israel (epidemiology)
• Male
• Methadone (therapeutic use)
• Opiate Substitution Treatment
• Patient Acceptance of Health Care
• Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
• Substance-Related Disorders (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Treatment Outcome