Is Methadone Enough? The Use of Ancillary Treatment During Methadone Maintenance
BARRY S. RAMER M.D.1,
MARSHALL O. ZASLOVE M.D.2, , and
JOAN LANGAN R.N., M.S.N.3
1 Director, Center for Special Problems. Department of Public Health, 2107 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, Calif. 94109, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Assistant Clinical Professor of Ambulatory and Community Medicine, University of California School of Medicine
2 Administrator, Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program, Center for Special Problems. Department of Public Health, 2107 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, Calif. 94109
3 Clinical Nurse Specialist, Center for Special Problems. Department of Public Health, 2107 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, Calif. 94109
Methadone maintenance treatment programs are increasing in number. The question arises: "Is methadone blockade alone sufficient to rehabilitate narcotic addicts?" Addicts maintained on methadone at the Center for Special Problems had eight ancillary treatment modalities available. They used crisis intervention and vocational rehabilitation most often. One group of patients made excellent life adjustments with little ancillary treatment, while another group used many modalities but adjusted poorly. Patients requiring individual psychotherapy made the poorest adjustment and had the highest rate of attrition from the program.
