Implications of Methadone Maintenance for Theories of Narcotic Addiction

摘要: Clinical success in rehabilitation of heroin addicts with maintenance treatment requires stability the blood level a pharmacologically effective range (optimally, 150 to 600 ng/mL)—a phenomenon that emphasizes central importance narcotic receptor occupation. It is postulated high rate relapse after detoxification from use due persistent derangement endogenous ligand-narcotic system and methadone an adequate daily dose compensates for this defect. Some patients long histories subsequent on program do well when terminated. The majority, unfortunately, experience return symptoms stopped. treatment, therefore, corrective but not curative severely addicted persons. A major challenge future research identify specific defect function repair it. Meanwhile, provides safe way normalize otherwise intractable addicts. ( JAMA 1988;260:3025-3029)