Drug and Alcohol Findings. (2018) Think more than twice before detoxifying from methadone. Drug and Alcohol Findings Research Analysis, (29 November 2018),
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External website: https://findings.org.uk/PHP/dl.php?file=Nosyk_B_3....
Defining dosing pattern characteristics of successful tapers following methadone maintenance treatment: results from a population-based retrospective cohort study.
Nosyk B., Sun H., Evans E. et al. Addiction: 2012, 107(9), p. 1621–1629.
Based on detailed treatment records kept by the Canadian province of British Columbia, a slow taper liberally interspersed with stabilisation periods offers the best chance of sustainably withdrawing from methadone without severe relapse, but still very few manage to avoid this risk – an argument for careful consideration and informed consent before making the attempt.
Key points from summary and commentary
• A slow taper of a year or more liberally interspersed with stabilisation periods seemed to offer the best chance of avoiding relapse over the next 18 months.
• Even then the great majority of taper attempts were followed by relapse, and overall fewer than 1 in 20 tapers ended in treatment exit and sustained remission.
• Reviews have found that while withdrawal severity can be ameliorated, very few patients complete the process of tapering (gradual dose reduction) methadone preparatory to treatment
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Substance disorder drug therapy (pharmacological treatment)
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Substance replacement method (substitution) > Opioid agonist treatment (methadone maintenance / buprenorphine)
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Detoxification
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Treatment outcome
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Patient / client care management
VA Geographic area > International
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