Methadone Maintenance Programme (methadone + maintenance_programme)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Parental rearing and substance related disorders,a multi-factorial controlled study in a Swedish sample

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 6 2004
P. Andersson
Dysfunctional parental rearing was investigated to evaluate cognitive self-protective strategies in a high-risk sample from the Methadone Maintenance Programme, Stockholm, Sweden, and healthy subjects respectively. The Bowlby-Scale, the ASQ-SWED, the Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire, the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale and the Dysfunctional Working Models Scale were used. Results confirm insecure attachment (types A, C, D) among addicts and secure attachment (type B) among controls. The influence of the pathological pattern Compulsive self-reliance on the personality factor Confidence in self and others was 40.3 times higher (odds ratio) for addicts. The content of schemas in substance-related disorders shows an individual vulnerability associated with a decreased social competence and a very high risk for the development of various types of psychopathology. On the other hand, findings obtained in control subjects attest to a ,normal' organization of self-protective strategies and a pattern of behaviour mainly based on secure attachment.,Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The outcome of a rapid hepatitis B vaccination programme in a methadone treatment clinic

ADDICTION, Issue 2 2010
Parameswaran Ramasamy
ABSTRACT Aim Injecting drug users are a high-risk population for hepatitis B (HBV), but are difficult to engage in vaccination programmes. This study examines the completion rates of a HBV vaccination schedule and seroconversion in a group of patients in methadone maintenance treatment. Methods Patients at a public methadone maintenance programme in Sydney, Australia, were screened for viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B and C) and offered a rapid HBV vaccination schedule (0, 1 and 2 months). Hepatitis B surface antibody (antiHBs) was retested on completion of the vaccination schedule. Results A total of 143 patients [71.3% male, mean age 33.1 (standard deviation ± 8.3)] enrolled in the project. Forty-nine per cent of patients were HAV antibody (Ab) positive, 81.1% hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) positive and 38.9% antiHBs positive. Exposure to multiple hepatitis viruses was common, with 24.5% testing positive for all three viruses. Seventy-three (83%) of the 88 antiHBs negative patients completed the vaccination schedule. Post-vaccination serology indicated a seroconversion rate of 75.4% (55 of 73) of completors, or 62.5% of eligible participants (55 of 88). Conclusion While there was a high rate of completion of the rapid vaccination schedule in this population, a moderate seroconversion rate was achieved. Further work is required to identify an optimal vaccination schedule in opioid substitution patients. [source]


Safety, efficacy, and long-term results of a modified version of rapid opiate detoxification under general anaesthesia: A prospective study in methadone, heroin, codeine and morphine addicts

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2000
M. Hensel
Background: In the present study a method of rapid opiate detoxification under general anaesthesia has been evaluated regarding the safety, the efficacy in preventing withdrawal symptoms, and the long-term results. In addition, it was investigated whether the profile and severity of withdrawal symptoms depend on the type of opiate abused (methadone, heroin, codeine, morphine). Methods: Seventy-two opiate addicts were detoxified in an intensive care unit (ICU). Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using propofol infusion. Patients were endotracheally intubated. The opiate receptor antagonist naltrexon was administered into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. Withdrawal symptoms before and after the detoxification treatment were assessed using an objective and a subjective opiate withdrawal scale (OOWS, SOWS). After detoxification patients entered a long-term naltrexone maintenance programme as well as a supportive psychotherapy programme. Vital organ function was monitored using haemodynamic and respiratory parameters as well as body temperature. Results: Organ function parameters were stable during the whole treatment in all patients and no anaesthetic complications were registered. Minor side effects such as bradycardia or hypotension were observed in 20 patients. Compared to patients with pre-existing heroin, codeine, or morphine abuse respectively, patients from the methadone maintenance programme had significantly higher (P<0.01) OOWS as well as SOWS values after the treatment. Twelve months after the detoxification 49 patients (68%) were abstinent from opiates whereas 17 patients had relapsed during the period of follow-up. Six patients were lost during follow-up. Conclusions: Rapid opiate detoxification under general anaesthesia is a safe and efficient method to suppress withdrawal symptoms. This treatment may be of benefit in patients who particularly suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification and who have failed repeatedly to complete conventional withdrawal. Methadone patients have more withdrawal symptoms than other opiate addicts. [source]


Methadone-exposed newborn infants: outcome after alterations to a service for mothers and infants

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2007
J. Miles
Abstract Objective, To evaluate the impact of a shared care approach in clinical management with a drug liaison midwife (DLM) service for mothers and infants established in 1995,1996 in an inner city area and to address the problem of congenital abnormality and microcephaly with fetal drug exposure. Methods, Descriptive analysis of data in live births of women enrolled in a methadone maintenance programme in 1991,1994 (n = 78) and 1997,2001 (n = 98), including time spent in hospital, treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), admission to the neonatal medical unit (NMU) and follow-up for child health checks. Results, In 1997,2001 compared with 1991,1994, the mothers used more methadone in the last week of pregnancy (median 40.0 mg/day vs. 21.5 mg/day, P = 0.0006) and there were more preterm deliveries (36% vs. 21%, P = 0.03). The infants spent less time in hospital (median 5 days vs. 28 days, P < 0.0001), a smaller proportion had treatment for NAS (14% vs. 79%, P < 0.0001), and NMU admission was reduced (median 14 days vs. 26 days, P < 0.0003). Neonatal convulsions (P = 0.0001) and jaundice (P < 0.001) occurred less frequently, and more infants were breastfed (P = 0.001). One infant in each study group had a cleft palate and none had microcephaly. Child health checks for 18,24 months showed a favourable outcome in 1997,2001. Conclusions, We altered antenatal care and modified neonatal management, subsequently infants spent less time in hospital and NMU admissions were reduced with less NAS treatment. Congenital abnormalities and microcephaly were not common and as regular child health checks were possible, the impact of the DLM service in shared management merits further investigation, for mother,infant bonding and developmental outcome. [source]


Harm minimization strategies: opinions of health professionals in rural and remote Australia

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2007
G. M. Peterson BPharm (Hons) PhD MBA
Summary Background and objective: There is some evidence that the problem of illicit drug use (IDU) is increasing in rural areas of Australia. Lack of access to harm minimization (HM) strategies is potentially exacerbated by a shortage of health care facilities and health care professionals in rural areas. This study was conducted to determine barriers to implementation, access to, and success of HM strategies, as seen by health professionals presently working in rural Australia. Methods: Four hundred rural pharmacists Australia-wide and 425 doctors in rural Victoria and Tasmania were sent postal surveys to assess their opinions on the level of IDU in their area, the types of drugs commonly used, the adequacy of HM strategies and facilities, and the barriers faced by doctors, pharmacists and clients. Results: The overall response rate was almost 50%. Slightly less than half of surveyed health professionals felt that IDU was increasing in their area, with heroin perceived to be the most prevalent drug used in all States except Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Both methadone prescribers and dispensers believed the methadone maintenance programmes were highly valuable to the community, but not without problems (e.g. risk of overdose). A lack of time or staff was the greatest influence on doctors not participating in the methadone programmes, whereas safety concerns were prominent with pharmacists. The majority of doctors felt HM facilities were inadequate, with needle-syringe exchange being the most frequently nominated HM strategy lacking. Conclusion: Despite best intentions, there are still problems with HM strategies in these areas. Improving the number and expertise of health professionals in rural areas, and providing adequate support for them, would address some of these problems. [source]