Does HIV test result influence methadone maintenance treatment retention?

Abstract

We compared groups of opioid users new to methadone maintenance to determine if persons who first learn that they are HIV-seropositive in a drug treatment program are more likely to drop out of treatment than persons who learn they are seronegative. We found no difference in patients' continuation in methadone treatment at either 6 or 12 weeks associated with HIV serostatus. Our findings suggest that voluntary HIV testing can be implemented as part of AIDS prevention programs with little fear of adversely affecting treatment outcomes.