Training Tools - Methadone Research Web Guide

Table of Contents

Please note: All URLs provided in the Methadone Research Web Guide were accessed on August 1, 2006, and were current as of that date.

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Acknowledgments – View as PDF     (97KB)

Introduction – View as PDF     (62KB)

Part A: Questions and Answers Regarding the History and Evolution of Methadone Treatment of Opioid Addiction in the United States – View as PDF     (98KB)

• Question 1: When was opioid addiction first observed in the United States?
• Question 2: What is the history of opioid addiction in the United States?
• Question 3: What is the history of U.S. regulation of heroin?
• Question 4: How have U.S. regulations about treatment for heroin addiction evolved?
• Question 5: What is methadone?
• Question 6: When was methadone maintenance introduced to treat heroin addiction?
• Question 7: How has the U.S. Government been involved in research on methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 8: What is the international approach to maintenance treatment for heroin addiction?

Part B: 20 Questions and Answers Regarding Methadone Maintenance Treatment Research – View as PDF     (1.19MB)

• Question 1: Is methadone maintenance treatment effective for opioid addiction?
• Question 2: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce illicit opioid use?
• Question 3: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce HIV risk behaviors and the incidence of HIV infection among opioid-dependent injection drug users?
• Question 4: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce criminal activity?
• Question 5: Does methadone maintenance treatment improve the likelihood of obtaining and retaining employment?
• Question 6: What effect can methadone maintenance treatment have on the use of alcohol and other drugs?
• Question 7: What components of methadone maintenance treatment account for reductions in AIDS risk behaviors?
• Question 8: Do risk factors for HIV infection acquisition and transmission differ for women compared with men in methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 9: Is methadone maintenance treatment effective for women?
• Question 10: Is methadone safe for pregnant women and their infants?
• Question 11: Is it necessary to reduce methadone dose or detoxify women from methadone during pregnancy to protect the fetus?
• Question 12: Is the long-term use of methadone medically safe, and is it well tolerated by patients?
• Question 13: Are there program characteristics associated with the success of methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 14: Are there patient characteristics associated with the success of methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 15: Are there cost benefits to methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 16: What are the retention rates for methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 17: Is mandated methadone maintenance treatment as effective as voluntary treatment?
• Question 18: What is the role of L-alpha-acetyl-methadol (LAAM)?
• Question 19: How do buprenorphine and methadone compare?
• Question 20: Can methadone and buprenorphine be abused?

Part C: Questions and Answers Regarding Assessing the Appropriateness and Effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Treatment – View as PDF     (65KB)

• Question 1: How should patients be assessed for opioid agonist treatment?
• Question 2: How is opioid withdrawal assessed?
• Question 3: How is patient progress in opioid agonist treatment monitored?

Part D: Critical Questions and Links to Information Regarding Clinical and Regulatory Requirements for Implementing Methadone Maintenance Programs – View as PDF     (49KB)

• Question 1: How are methadone programs approved or registered for operation?
• Question 2: What forms of methadone are acceptable for treatment?
• Question 3: What are the guidelines for initial dosing?

The NIDA International Methadone Research Web Guide is in the public domain and may be reproduced. For citations, please reference: NIDA International Program, 2007. Methadone Research Web Guide [online]. Bethesda, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Available from: http://www.international.drugabuse.gov/collaboration/guide_methadone/index.html.