L A Marsch1. 1. Towson State University, Department of Psychology, Maryland, USA. lmarsch@zoo.uvm.edu
Abstract
AIMS: To provide empirically based evaluation data regarding the efficacy of psychopharmacological interventions in opiate substance abuse, the present study employed meta-analytic statistical procedures to determine the effectiveness of methadone hydrochloride as a pharmacotherapeutic agent. DESIGN: Empirical research findings from 11 studies investigating the effect of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on illicit opiate use, and eight and 24 studies investigating the effect of MMT on HIV risk behaviors and criminal activities, respectively, by individuals in such treatment were addressed. FINDINGS: Results demonstrate a consistent, statistically significant relationship between MMT and the reduction of illicit opiate use, HIV risk behaviors and drug and property-related criminal behaviors. The effectiveness of MMT is most apparent in its ability to reduce drug-related criminal behaviors. MMT had a moderate effect in reducing illicit opiate use and drug and property-related criminal behaviors, and a small to moderate effect in reducing HIV risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Results clarify discrepancies in the literature and are useful in predicting the outcomes of individuals in treatment. The treatment's effectiveness is evident among opiate-dependent individuals across a variety of contexts, cultural and ethnic groups, and study designs.
AIMS: To provide empirically based evaluation data regarding the efficacy of psychopharmacological interventions in opiate substance abuse, the present study employed meta-analytic statistical procedures to determine the effectiveness of methadone hydrochloride as a pharmacotherapeutic agent. DESIGN: Empirical research findings from 11 studies investigating the effect of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on illicit opiate use, and eight and 24 studies investigating the effect of MMT on HIV risk behaviors and criminal activities, respectively, by individuals in such treatment were addressed. FINDINGS: Results demonstrate a consistent, statistically significant relationship between MMT and the reduction of illicit opiate use, HIV risk behaviors and drug and property-related criminal behaviors. The effectiveness of MMT is most apparent in its ability to reduce drug-related criminal behaviors. MMT had a moderate effect in reducing illicit opiate use and drug and property-related criminal behaviors, and a small to moderate effect in reducing HIV risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Results clarify discrepancies in the literature and are useful in predicting the outcomes of individuals in treatment. The treatment's effectiveness is evident among opiate-dependent individuals across a variety of contexts, cultural and ethnic groups, and study designs.
Authors: Linda-Gail Bekker; George Alleyne; Stefan Baral; Javier Cepeda; Demetre Daskalakis; David Dowdy; Mark Dybul; Serge Eholie; Kene Esom; Geoff Garnett; Anna Grimsrud; James Hakim; Diane Havlir; Michael T Isbell; Leigh Johnson; Adeeba Kamarulzaman; Parastu Kasaie; Michel Kazatchkine; Nduku Kilonzo; Michael Klag; Marina Klein; Sharon R Lewin; Chewe Luo; Keletso Makofane; Natasha K Martin; Kenneth Mayer; Gregorio Millett; Ntobeko Ntusi; Loyce Pace; Carey Pike; Peter Piot; Anton Pozniak; Thomas C Quinn; Jurgen Rockstroh; Jirair Ratevosian; Owen Ryan; Serra Sippel; Bruno Spire; Agnes Soucat; Ann Starrs; Steffanie A Strathdee; Nicholas Thomson; Stefano Vella; Mauro Schechter; Peter Vickerman; Brian Weir; Chris Beyrer Journal: Lancet Date: 2018-07-20 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Andrea K Finlay; Ingrid A Binswanger; David Smelson; Leon Sawh; Jim McGuire; Joel Rosenthal; Jessica Blue-Howells; Christine Timko; Janet C Blodgett; Alex H S Harris; Steven M Asch; Susan Frayne Journal: Med Care Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Christopher Rowe; Glenn-Milo Santos; Eric Vittinghoff; Eliza Wheeler; Peter Davidson; Philip O Coffin Journal: Addiction Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 6.526