Correlates of retention on the South Australian Methadone Program 1981-91.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate correlates of retention on the South Australian Methadone Program during 1981-91.


METHODS
Retrospective study of a nonstratified random sample of 229 HIV-negative clients who received methadone between January 1981 and June 1991. Data were collected from clinical records of the 229 HIV-negative clients and also from the 40 clients known to be infected with HIV during the decade.


RESULTS
Being HIV positive, receiving larger maximum doses of methadone, receiving methadone from a private pharmacy and enrolling later in the decade were all associated with longer retention times on the program.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the findings of previous studies, that maximum dose of methadone is crucial to retention in methadone programs, But even allowing for maximum dose, obtaining methadone from a private pharmacy was also strongly associated with retention on the program. The more 'humane' clinic policy later in the decade is likely to have increased retention and reduced illicit drug use also.
Gaughwin
M
M
Drug and Alcohol Resource Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
Solomon
P
P
Ali
R
R
D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012307:Risk Factors; D013021:South Australia
D008691:Methadone