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More than 115,000 persons receive methadone treatment in the United
States and many thousands more throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and
the Middle East. In New York, methadone treatment is the State's most
widely used modality for heroin addiction, with 40,000 citizens in care
in community based programs throughout the State.
Methadone treatment programs have been thoroughly evaluated for almost thirty years. A clinically safe medication, methadone stabilizes patients and eliminates the craving for and the use of narcotic drugs. As a result, marked decreases in criminal behavior, risk behaviors associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitus B and C. Improved use of health and social services, increased education and employment are all benefits of methadone treatment. Usually, the longer a patient remains in treatment, the better the outcomes, and the more cost-effective the program. Developed in 1964 at Rockefeller University by Drs. Dole, Nyswander & Kreek, methadone was found unequivocally safe and effective for long term use, without serious side effects, and safe even during pregnancy. Stabilized patients suffer no cognitive impairment and function in a variety of vocational endeavors, including professional positions and service jobs, as well as skilled technical work. Methadone treated patients are lawyers, engineers, secretaries, truck drivers, teachers, construction workers and computer programmers. Methadone programs offer a wide array of services including health and mental health care, HIV counseling, testing and primary care, health education and wellness, individual, group and family counseling, case management, educational and vocational services and child and family. Most programs provide comprehensive care with linkages to meet most patient needs. |