title: Retention in treatment of heroin users in Italy: the role of treatment type and of methadone maintenance dosage.
abstract: Retention in treatment among 1503 heroin users attending public treatment centres in 1995 was studied. Three different treatments were considered: methadone maintenance, drug-free program and naltrexone. The retention rate after 1 year was 40% for patients in methadone maintenance, 18% in naltrexone and 15% in drug-free program. For patients in maintenance, methadone dosage and clinic policy were the most important factors for retention. Patients taking > or = 60 mg/day and 30-59 mg/day were respectively 70 and 50% more likely to remain in treatment than those receiving a < 30 mg daily dose. Patients in maintenance-oriented clinics were 30% more likely to remain in treatment than those in abstinence-oriented centres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Authority, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Ippoliti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davoli
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Perucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasqualini
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bargagli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D009271:Naltrexone; D008691:Methadone