The Impact of Benzodiazepine Use on Methadone Maintenance Treatment Outcomes
- 12 June 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Addictive Diseases
- Vol. 27 (3), 37-48
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10550880802122620
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to examine predictors of benzodiazepine use among methadone maintenance treatment patients, to determine whether baseline benzodiazepine use influenced ongoing use during methadone maintenance treatment, and to assess the effect of ongoing benzodiazepine use on treatment outcomes (i.e., opioid and cocaine use and treatment retention). A retrospective chart review of 172 methadone maintenance treatment patients (mean age = 34.6 years; standard deviation = 8.5 years; 64% male) from January 1997 to December 1999 was conducted. At baseline, 29% were “non-users” (past year) of benzodiazepine, 36% were “occasional users,” and 35% were “regular/problem users.” Regular/problem users were more likely to have started opioid use with prescription opioids, experienced more overdoses, and reported psychiatric comorbidity. Being female, more years of opioid use, and a history of psychiatric treatment were significant predictors of baseline benzodiazepine use. Ongoing benzodiazepine users were more likely to have opioid-positive and cocaine-positive urine screens during methadone maintenance treatment. Only ongoing cocaine use was negatively related to retention. Benzodiazepine use by methadone maintenance treatment patients is associated with a more complex clinical picture and may negatively influence treatment outcomes.Keywords
This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit:
- Depression in methadone maintenance treatment patients: Rate and risk factorsJournal of Affective Disorders, 2007
- Adolescent and Young Adult Heroin PatientsJournal of Addictive Diseases, 2006
- Factors predicting retention in treatment: 10-year experience of a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic in IsraelDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006
- Recent trends in benzodiazepine use by injecting drug users in Victoria and TasmaniaDrug and Alcohol Review, 2002
- Treatment of heroin-dependent poly-drug abusers with contingency management and buprenorphine maintenance.Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2000
- The Effect of Stimulant and Sedative Use on Treatment Outcome of Patients Admitted to Methadone Maintenance TreatmentThe American Journal on Addictions, 2000
- Predictors of patient retention in a newly established methadone maintenance treatment programmeAddiction, 1997
- The use of benzodiazepines among injecting drug usersDrug and Alcohol Review, 1994
- Female Clients in Substance Abuse TreatmentInternational Journal of the Addictions, 1985
- Diazepam use among methadone maintenance patients: Patterns and dosagesDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 1981