Withdrawal from methadone maintenance. Impact of a tapering network support program.

This study assessed the impact of providing tapering and aftercare assistance to individuals addicted to heroin maintained on methadone. Participants were clients in six outpatient methadone maintenance clinics who expressed a motivation to withdraw from methadone and who met criteria predictive of success. Fifty-eight clients in three clinics had an enriched program available, whereas 56 clients in three matched comparison clinics received written materials only. No significant differences were found in the proportion of study participants who reached 0 mg or who reduced their dose during study participation. Discussion focuses on ways to improve the quality of methadone treatment in preparation for eventual withdrawal.