SAGE Reference - Encyclopedia of Drug Policy

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Methadone

By: Alison Ritter
In: Encyclopedia of Drug Policy
Edited by: Mark A. R. Kleiman & James E. Hawdon
Subject:Public Policy, Drug Crimes
Keywords:buprenorphine; detoxification; heroin; heroin dependence; methadone; methadone maintenance; methadone maintenance treatment

Methadone is a legal, synthetic opiate used in the treatment of heroin dependence. Methadone is either used as detoxification treatment, or as a long-term maintenance treatment. Evidence for its effectiveness is very high. It is also the most cost-effective treatment for heroin dependence. Methadone is widely available in many countries but the ways in which methadone programs are designed and delivered vary. Other drugs similar to methadone include buprenorphine (also used for detoxification or maintenance treatment for heroin dependence).

Treatment with Methadone

The rationale for methadone is that the provision of a legal, stable source of opiate enables the individual patient to cease heroin use and its associated behaviors, such as drug-seeking. During the period of maintenance on methadone, other lifestyle changes can be achieved, such as ...

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  Ritter, A. (2011). Methadone. In M. A. Kleiman, & J. E. Hawdon (Eds.), Encyclopedia of drug policy (Vol. 1, pp. 507-508). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412976961.n222
  
  Ritter, Alison. "Methadone." In Encyclopedia of Drug Policy, edited by Kleiman, Mark A. R., and James E. Hawdon, 507-8. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412976961.n222.
  
  Ritter, A. 2011. Methadone. In: Mark A. Kleiman and James E. Hawdon Editors, 2011. Encyclopedia of Drug Policy, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 507-508 Available at: <http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412976961.n222> [Accessed 21 Jun 2021].
  
  Ritter, Alison. "Methadone." Encyclopedia of Drug Policy. Edited by Mark A. Kleiman and James E. Hawdon. Vol. 1. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2011, pp. 507-8. SAGE Knowledge. 21 Jun 2021, doi: http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412976961.n222.
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