Because methadone treatment can be a lifetime treatment and substitutes a long-acting opioid (methadone) for a short-acting opioid (heroin), it has been controversial since its inception in the mid-sixties. The degree to which methadone treatment is successful may depend on adequate dosage, sufficient time in treatment, and essential treatment and support services. However, effective treatment practices may be threatened by the stigmatization of methadone treatment. This paper assesses predictors of time in treatment for methadone clients. Using data from Phase II of the nationally representative 1997 Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS), client records were abstracted for a sample of methadone clients discharged from treatment. Client demographic characteristics (age, race and ethnicity, gender, employment, dual diagnosis, criminal justice history, Medicaid or other payment source), treatment characteristics (dosage level, other types of services received), and facility characteristics (methadone withdrawal policy, ownership, licensing, payment sources, managed care status and staffing patterns) are examined as they relate to average duration of methadone treatment.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize how variations in methadone treatment practices impact how long a methadone client stays in treatment. 2. Learn how variations in treatment duration by client demographics, treatment characteristics, and facility characteristics can be used to guide policy and treatment
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.