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FIFTY OPIATE ADDICTS TREATED WITH METHADONE BLOCKADE EIGHT‐YEAR FOLLOW UP
Author(s) -
Dalton M. S.,
Duncan D. W.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1979.tb128952.x
Subject(s) - methadone , blockade , opiate , medicine , addiction , anesthesia , rehabilitation , psychiatry , psychology , physical therapy , receptor
An extended follow up of the first 50 opiate addicts in Australasia to be treated with methadone blockade is described. At follow up, 43 patients were traced and assessed. Results show that 65% of the 43 patients completed the recommended three years of blockade therapy, with an identical proportion of patients recording no new criminal convictions; and 53.5% were reported as being drug‐free, with the exception of prescribed methadone. The therapy in 28% of patients was judged as being completely successful, while 70% of patients complied with criteria of leading reasonably happy and productive lives. Methadone blockade (over 100 mg a day) offers the opiate addict an excellent opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation, provided that the treatment is properly understood, administered, and followed up.