Opiate-dependent patients receiving methadone. How physicians should manage therapy.

Methadone treatment can reduce illicit drug use, needle sharing, and the social costs and health risks of heroin addiction. It is superior to no treatment, detoxification, or treatment programs lasting less than 3 months. For most patients, the optimal methadone dose is 50 to 120 mg daily. Supervised, random urine drug specimens should be collected at least twice weekly. Long-term counseling is essential and should include information on the risks of needle sharing and on screening for HIV and hepatitis B and C.