How is success in MMT measured?
The broad goal of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is to help opioid-dependent persons cease their use of heroin and/or other abused opioids and lead more stable, productive lives in recovery. However, good MMT programs strive to help patients achieve many more specific objectives, including: • Patients are encouraged to abstain from all addictive substances – including alcohol, cocaine and other stimulants, marijuana, and others • The misuse of prescribed medications is discouraged • Patients are expected to decrease and avoid criminal behavior of any sort, and MMT program staff help resolve current difficulties with the criminal justice system • MMT medical staff help patients attend to health matters, especially those possibly related to past drug use, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis • MMT staff identify and treat mental health problems that might have contributed to or resulted from substance abuse • Patient educational development and employability are stressed
