title: Comparison of the effect of high and low doses of methadone on treatment outcome.
abstract: The results of a 2-year-study of the relationship between methadone dosage and treatment outcome are reported. For discharged patients, higher doses of methadone were significantly related to successful treatment and lower doses to treatment failure. Based on these findings and the review of literature as well as the senior author's clinical experience, a theoretical formulation is offered to provide a rationale for methadone maintenance treatment. The tenability of the formulation is readily testable by clinical research.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone