Benefits Of Methadone Maintenance
The purpose of Methadone Maintenance programs is to provide addiction services to opioid-addicted individuals. Treatment programs can help addicts decrease their dependence on opioids and provide them with healthier lives. Methadone maintenance has proven to be beneficial in many ways using long-lasting medication and other strategies to help addicts turn their lives around.
A recent Cochrane review from 2004 found that methadone treatment is statistically more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in treating patients and the suppressing heroin use. scientific evidence proves that methadone maintenance is an effective treatment for opioid dependent individuals and the program increases HIV prevention (“Methadone as an essential …show more content…
It decreases cravings for other drugs and it increases the functioning in individuals. Methadone is a good form of treatment because it last from 24-36 hours, which is lasts longer than most other opioids. In the program methadone only has to be administered once a day. “Overview of methadone maintenance treatment” (n.d.), state many studies has shown that methadone maintenance programs are associated with a decrease in criminal activity, transmission of diseases, and high-risk behaviors. The program is also associated with improvement in physical and mental health, social functioning, and quality of …show more content…
Many of them try to quit because they want a healthy baby but experience withdrawals which prevent them from quitting using. Women who are stable in methadone maintenance programs will give birth to babies who are in normal range for development and will grow up to be healthy (“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d.). Scientific consensus by the US government authorities and researchers report methadone is safe and effective for managing opioid dependence during pregnancy (“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d). Although there are side effects in the early stages of treatment, the side effects end and there is no evidence of any long-term consequences. A review of the program stated “It has been shown to be an invaluable and often an essential ingredient in bettering the health of women during pregnancy”(“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d.).
Although methadone maintenance programs have strengths, there are also a number of weaknesses. One weakness is the amount of time spent in treatment. Addicts in this program must attend a treatment program every day to receive their oral dose of methadone. Not everyone has time to go the clinic to get their dose. This affects the treatment process and the stability of the patient. Skipping doses will lead to patient reverting to their heavy use of
A recent Cochrane review from 2004 found that methadone treatment is statistically more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in treating patients and the suppressing heroin use. scientific evidence proves that methadone maintenance is an effective treatment for opioid dependent individuals and the program increases HIV prevention (“Methadone as an essential …show more content…
It decreases cravings for other drugs and it increases the functioning in individuals. Methadone is a good form of treatment because it last from 24-36 hours, which is lasts longer than most other opioids. In the program methadone only has to be administered once a day. “Overview of methadone maintenance treatment” (n.d.), state many studies has shown that methadone maintenance programs are associated with a decrease in criminal activity, transmission of diseases, and high-risk behaviors. The program is also associated with improvement in physical and mental health, social functioning, and quality of …show more content…
Many of them try to quit because they want a healthy baby but experience withdrawals which prevent them from quitting using. Women who are stable in methadone maintenance programs will give birth to babies who are in normal range for development and will grow up to be healthy (“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d.). Scientific consensus by the US government authorities and researchers report methadone is safe and effective for managing opioid dependence during pregnancy (“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d). Although there are side effects in the early stages of treatment, the side effects end and there is no evidence of any long-term consequences. A review of the program stated “It has been shown to be an invaluable and often an essential ingredient in bettering the health of women during pregnancy”(“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Methadone and Pregnancy”, n.d.).
Although methadone maintenance programs have strengths, there are also a number of weaknesses. One weakness is the amount of time spent in treatment. Addicts in this program must attend a treatment program every day to receive their oral dose of methadone. Not everyone has time to go the clinic to get their dose. This affects the treatment process and the stability of the patient. Skipping doses will lead to patient reverting to their heavy use of