Methadone maintenance treatment in the U.S. : a practical question and answer guide.

摘要: The abuse of heroin and other opiates is a serious growing public health problem. According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use Health, an estimated 166,000 Americans use heroin. In addition, 4.4 million opiate pain relievers (including Vicodin, Percodan, Percocet, OxyContin) without prescription. Abuse legal represents category: in 2004, approximately 2.4 abused prescription for first time. total, about 1.9% are abusing illegal or opiates. Furthermore, dependence increasing worldwide, significantly exacerbating HIV/AIDS pandemic. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been primary form U.S. over 40 years. It involves providing drug abusers with less addictive (methadone) clinical setting, then gradually tapering methadone dosage. While methadone, patients receive counseling medical treatments (i.e. hepatitis screening) as needed. ability provide all these one location made MMT most effective date. United States alone, there more than 1,200 programs, staff 20,000, serving 200,000 annually yet, date, no comprehensive, user-friendly professional reference book programs. This fills gap. written diverse audience, including clinicians, program administrators, substance researchers, service professionals who want learn aspects MMT. Policy makers interested establishing new domestically internationally, will find information useful. offers insights into effectiveness characteristics successful programs (budgets, services, staff, etc.), well regulation accreditation issues. presented based study nearly 150 15 states.