Detoxification from methadone maintenance treatment in Sweden: long-term outcome and effects on quality of life and life situation.

Of 59 subjects who have undergone voluntary and serious attempts to terminate methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) within the framework of the Swedish methadone program, 50 could be reached for an interview. Of these, 25 were classified--with some reservations--as successful (Group 1), i.e., they lived opiate-free and to all appearances well-ordered lives. The other 25 had failed in their attempts (Group 2) and were all in methadone treatment, most functioning well. A comparison was made between the two groups with regard to change in perceived quality of life and actual life situation from the time before the detoxification attempts were begun (Period 1) until the time preceding the interview (Period 2). The results indicate that Group 1 has achieved a higher quality of life and a more stable actual life situation compared with Group 2.