The Effects of Methadone Maintenance with Opioid Takers: A Review and Some Findings from One British City

1978 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Paxton ◽  
Patrick Mullin ◽  
Jack Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Work Status ◽  
Methadone Group ◽  
Firm Evidence

SummaryVarious benefits claimed for methadone maintenance in the treatment of opioid drug takers are reviewed. It is said to stop illicit drug use, maintain treatment contact, reduce morbidity, mortality and crime, and improve social adjustment. Little firm evidence is found to support these claims. Results are reported comparing 26 drug takers on methadone prescriptions with 16 illicit opioid takers. The measures used are Stimson's (1972) ‘Patterns of Behaviour’ questionnaire, and direct behavioural measures of social functioning. The groups are found not to differ in terms of treatment contact, work status and involvement with other drug takers. There is some evidence that the methadone group is involved in less criminal activity. However, no association is found between amounts of drugs prescribed and numbers of local pharmacy thefts. It is concluded that the benefits of methadone maintenance have been exaggerated.

Rehab, respite and recovery: the experiences of methadone users in a modified therapeutic community (MTC) in Scotland

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-136
Author(s):  
Iain McPhee ◽  
Denice Fenton
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rich Data

Purpose – There is limited research documenting recovery experiences of residential service users. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions service users on methadone have about recovery. In depth, semi structured 1-1 interviews with seven poly drug using homeless males between the ages of 37 and 46 and analysed using NVivo software. Results are presented thematically. Participants conform to “recovery” norms allowing stigma and shame of illicit drug use to be attributed to former addict identities. Participants on methadone maintenance report inner conflict arising from changing societal and cultural norms that equate recovery with abstinence. Tensions were revealed in true motivations for active rather than passive participation in adopting group work norms. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative design utilises small numbers of participants to gather rich data. In depth, semi structured 1-1 interviews conducted with seven poly drug using homeless males who have completed between ten and 15 weeks of a minimum 26-week residential treatment programme. Participants were aged 37-46. Results were analysed thematically using NVivo software. Findings – Participants conform to “recovery” norms allowing stigma and shame of illicit drug use to be attributed to a former stigmatised addict identity. Participants on methadone maintenance report inner conflict arising from changing societal and cultural norms regards recovery and abstinence. A significant process of recovery involved adopting the norms of 12-step groups and TC therapy to gain enough trust to leave the therapeutic community (TC) unsupervised. This created tension regards motivation, were these individuals in recovery, or merely “faking it”? Research limitations/implications – A female perspective may have provided a more balanced discussion and yielded greater depth in results. Only one service was studied and the findings may be specific to that cohort. The duration of stay at the service of ten to 15 weeks is a relatively short time and excluded participants resident for six months or more. Longer term residents may have been more reflective and informative. Practical implications – Encourage active options and increased debate on the variety of treatment options available to long term homeless opiate users who have failed to comply with previous treatments. While this is a small modest study, the rich data yields practical advice for policy makers and service providers. Social implications – This research study adds to an informed perspective by encouraging debate on methadone as a challenge to definitions of recovery that infer abstinence as a key definition of success. Originality/value – There is a paucity of research documenting a Scottish TC service user perspective using qualitative methods on experiences of addiction, treatment and recovery.

scholarly journals Criminally invalid: the treatment outcome profile form for substance misuse

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 404-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Luty ◽  
Sabu Varughese ◽  
Joby Easow
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Treatment Services

Aims and MethodTo audit completion of the Treatment Outcome Profile (TOP) form in individuals attending substance misuse services in England. Forms are completed at the start of treatment and every 3 months thereafter. All forms at 3-drug treatment services were inspected over 6 months.ResultsForms were inspected for 200 service users; 86% were fully completed. Two-thirds (67%) of service users had no declared funding for illicit drug use in the previous month (mean spending £988; s.e. = 149) despite denying any paid employment and criminal activity.Clinical ImplicationsThe section on crime in the TOP form is unreliable and completely invalid.

scholarly journals METHODOLOGIC DIRECTIONS IN CRIMINALISTIC RESEARCH FOR THE OFFENCE OF TRAFFICKING AND ILLICIT DRUG CONSUMPTION

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-54
Author(s):  
Petronela-Diana Ferariu ◽  
Valentina Avrămescu
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Illicit Trafficking

The criminal activity of trafficking and illicit drug use is developing rapidly, new psychoactive substances are emerging at a rapid pace and represent a major threat to the health and safety of individuals. The actual crime in the case of trafficking and illicit drug use offence must be determined in terms of size the participants and causes. The distinction between real crime and apparent crime is defined as the "dark number or hidden figure of crime" (Rădulescu S., 1999, 189) The use of this concept is specifically used in the case of the number of crimes committed and remained unknown to the society, for various reasons. In the forensic investigation of the crime of trafficking and illicit drug use, the research activity is carried out with great difficulties, because one of the forms of crime with the highest rate of the dark number of crime and almost impossible to estimate is the illicit trafficking and consumption of drugs, as victims are most often accomplice in this form of crime, and establishing the diversity of substances that fall into the narcotic sphere is relative.

Diminished Illicit Drug Use as a Consequence of Long-Term Methadone Maintenance

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Gottheil ◽  
Robert C. Sterling ◽  
Stephen P Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

Outcome of contingency contracting for illicit drug use in a methadone maintenance program

1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Saxon ◽  
Donald A. Calsyn ◽  
Daniel R. Kivlahan ◽  
Douglas K. Roszell
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Maintenance Program ◽  
Contingency Contracting ◽  
Methadone Maintenance Program

Volatile Substance Abuse in Relation to Alcohol and Illicit Drugs: Psychosocial Perspectives

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Edeh
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Volatile Substance ◽  
Social Characteristics

1 Volatile substance abusers are a heterogeneous population despite some demographic and social characteristics which appear similar. 2 Though predominantly an adolescent group activity, adult cases have been reported. Family disruption, alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour feature prominently. 3 Evidence currently available suggests that only a minority of cases progress to illicit drug use; however a review of literature reveals serious discrepancies. 4 Further research of a longitudinal nature using standardized criteria of psychiatric morbidity and social adjustment and long-term follow-up is indicated to examine the extent of progression to heavy alcohol or illicit drug use.

Cannabis versus other illicit drug use among methadone maintenance patients.

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted D. Nirenberg ◽  
Tony Cellucci ◽  
Michael R. Liepman ◽  
Robert M. Swift ◽  
Alan D. Sirota
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Illicit Drug Use
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