How common is methadone use?
The number of people taking methadone in Canada has risen significantly in recent years. In Ontario, there were 650 methadone clients in 1996, and 6,000 in 2000. This increase reflects current public health policies that have been changed in recent years in an effort to reduce drug use. How long do people stay on methadone? In general, people stay on methadone as long as necessary. Although research has shown that the most effective treatment for opioid dependence is methadone maintenance, some health care providers may still promote short-term methadone detoxification. In this case the person is stabilized on methadone, and then tapers off over the next one to six months. References Brands, Bruna & Brands, John. Methadone Maintenance: A Physician’s Guide to Treatment. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation, 1998. Brands, John & Janecek, Eva. Methadone Maintenance: A Pharmacist’s Guide to Treatment. Toronto: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2000. Methadone Maintenance Treatment:
