What are the modalities for the treatment from the medical standpoint?
Methadone treatment is generally of medium duration (2-5 years) or without any set duration. At the beginning of treatment, the recommended doses are between 30 and 40 mg of methadone per day. In general, the average stabilization dose is higher, around 60-80 mg/day. It should, however, be adapted to fit each patient’s evolution. Administration of methadone should be in appropriate oral form, so as to avoid any deviation of its use. At the beginning of treatment and until stabilization, for the sake of caution, the patient should take his daily dose at the pharmacy or at a special center. Occasional heroin consumption should not constitute a reason for stopping the treatment or decreasing a patient’s dose. Certain medicinal interactions require an adjustment of the dosage. Rapidly degressive treatments [i.e., detoxification] (3 weeks-3 months) are also indicated in some cases. In general, they are associated with a change of milieu with a reduction of the patients’ exposure to heroin.
