Methadone and Naltrexone in the Treatment of Heroin Dependence

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, methadone maintenance has been shown to be a safe, effective treatment for large numbers of heroin addicts. The majority of patients derive major benefits while in treatment, most measurably in the areas of decreased use of illicit opiates, diminished criminality, increased levels of employment and more stable interpersonal relationships. An advantage of methadone maintenance over other treatments is that it attracts and retains a relatively large segment of the addict population and is reasonably cost-effective. Naltrexone is well suited as a transitional treatment for individuals who have progressed using methadone maintenance. Patients completing a course of methadone maintenance should be encouraged to use naltrexone during the postmethadone period, when symptoms of protracted abstinence often lead them to reinitiate use of heroin. Those with stable family relationships, good jobs, minimal antisocial behavior, and low drug-craving before beginning a course of naltrexone appear to benefit most from the treatment. Rates of retention improve when naltrexone is used within a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Although addicted individuals are often stereotyped, they are, in fact, a heterogeneous group representing a range of psychopathologies and life situations. Thus, within any one facility, a variety of modalities should be available to allow treatment to be tailored to the individual. No single treatment is best for all patients, and, moreover, the preferred modality for any one individual may change over time as a result of progress in treatment or varying life circumstances. Multimodality programs that include methadone and naltrexone enable the maximal number of individuals to benefit from treatment.