title: [Results of empirical studies of methadone treatment].
abstract: 66 contributions in the current literature on methadone maintenance treatment (MMP) are reviewed and the retention rate, prognosis, predictors, side effects (i.e. alcoholism and polydrug abuse) and differences in treatment settings are discussed. The overall impression from research on thousands of methadone patients (predominantly in the Anglo-Saxon countries) is that MMPs are largely a palliative measure producing only incomplete or intermediate success in the patients' social rehabilitation (i.e. distancing from the drug subculture, decriminalization and ability to work). During pregnancy methadone treatment is strongly recommended as a transient policy due to the substance's comparatively few undesirable side effects. In future more consideration will have to be given to the interaction of the AIDS epidemic with methadone maintenance programs.
authors.affiliation: Sozialpsychiatrischer Dienst der Psychiatrischen Universitätsklinik Zürich.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gmür
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone
vernacular_title: Resultate empirischer Studien zur Methadonbehandlung.