Methadone Research Web Guide and Tutorial

The NIDA Methadone Research Web Guide is designed to answer the most frequently posed questions by the international community regarding the path of research inquiry used by the United States, which could be used by other countries to support approval of methadone and buprenorphine as treatment therapies for opioid dependence.

Please note: All URLs provided in the Methadone Research Web Guide were accessed on August 1, 2006, and were current as of that date.

Methadone Research Web Guide Table of Contents

• View full version of the Methadone Research Web Guide (1.43MB)
• Acknowledgments – View as PDF (97KB)
• Introduction – View as PDF (62KB)

Part A

Questions and Answers Regarding the History and Evolution of Methadone Treatment of Opioid Addiction in the United States
View as PDF (98KB)

• Question 1: When was opioid addiction first observed in the United States?
• Question 2: What is the history of opioid addiction in the United States?
• Question 3: What is the history of U.S. regulation of heroin?
• Question 4: How have U.S. regulations about treatment for heroin addiction evolved?
• Question 5: What is methadone?
• Question 6: When was methadone maintenance introduced to treat heroin addiction?
• Question 7: How has the U.S. Government been involved in research on methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 8: What is the international approach to maintenance treatment for heroin addiction?

Part B

20 Questions and Answers Regarding Methadone Maintenance Treatment Research
View as PDF (1.19MB)

• Question 1: Is methadone maintenance treatment effective for opioid addiction?
• Question 2: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce illicit opioid use?
• Question 3: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce HIV risk behaviors and the incidence of HIV infection among opioid-dependent injection drug users?
• Question 4: Does methadone maintenance treatment reduce criminal activity?
• Question 5: Does methadone maintenance treatment improve the likelihood of obtaining and retaining employment?
• Question 6: What effect can methadone maintenance treatment have on the use of alcohol and other drugs?
• Question 7: What components of methadone maintenance treatment account for reductions in AIDS risk behaviors?
• Question 8: Do risk factors for HIV infection acquisition and transmission differ for women compared with men in methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 9: Is methadone maintenance treatment effective for women?
• Question 10: Is methadone safe for pregnant women and their infants?
• Question 11: Is it necessary to reduce methadone dose or detoxify women from methadone during pregnancy to protect the fetus?
• Question 12: Is the long-term use of methadone medically safe, and is it well tolerated by patients?
• Question 13: Are there program characteristics associated with the success of methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 14: Are there patient characteristics associated with the success of methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 15: Are there cost benefits to methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 16: What are the retention rates for methadone maintenance treatment?
• Question 17: Is mandated methadone maintenance treatment as effective as voluntary treatment?
• Question 18: What is the role of L-alpha-acetyl-methadol (LAAM)?
• Question 19: How do buprenorphine and methadone compare?
• Question 20: Can methadone and buprenorphine be abused?

Part C

Questions and Answers Regarding Assessing the Appropriateness and Effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Treatment
View as PDF (65KB)

• Question 1: How should patients be assessed for opioid agonist treatment?
• Question 2: How is opioid withdrawal assessed?
• Question 3: How is patient progress in opioid agonist treatment monitored?

Part D

Critical Questions and Links to Information Regarding Clinical and Regulatory Requirements for Implementing Methadone Maintenance Programs
View as PDF (49KB)

• Question 1: How are methadone programs approved or registered for operation?
• Question 2: What forms of methadone are acceptable for treatment?
• Question 3: What are the guidelines for initial dosing?

The NIDA International Methadone Research Web Guide is in the public domain and may be reproduced. For citations, please reference: NIDA International Program, 2007. Methadone Research Web Guide [online]. Bethesda, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Available from: Methadone Research Web Guide.