Methadone maintenance. Does dose determine differences in outcome?

We conducted a naturalistic study to determine if higher methadone doses were more effective than lower doses in the outcome variables of illicit drug use, treatment retention, missed medication days, and ratings of patient progress by assigned counselor among 265 patients in a Department of Veterans Affairs Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program. Results indicated no significant differences on any outcome variable by methadone dose. However, we found a significant effect by assigned therapist. Some therapists achieved better outcome results on these same variables compared to other assigned therapists independent of dose level. We conclude that, while methadone maintenance dose is an important variable, researchers need to pay more attention to the interpersonal aspects of methadone maintenance treatment.