Ability to remain abstinent after methadone detoxification. A six-year study
B. Stimmel, J. Goldberg, E. Rotkopf and M. Cohen
Three hundred thirty-five persons successfully detoxified from methadone
hydrochloride maintenance were followed up for as long as six years to
determine their ability to remain abstinent from narcotic use. At the end
of the observation period, of the 269 persons located, 35% were
narcotic-free, 58% had returned to narcotic use, and 8% were either jailed
or deceased. The ability of a person to refrain from narcotic use was found
to be highly associated with staff's assessment of progress and duration of
methadone maintenance treatment. Relapse to narcotic use occurred
regardless of length of abstinence, with 35% of relapses occurring after
three or more years. While abstinence after narcotic dependency is
possible, it is not a realistic goal for all. Premature detoxification from
methadone maintenance is associated with a high recidivism rate to
narcotics.
