title: [Evolution of patients with long-term methadone substitution].
abstract: The Drop-in in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) offers methadone substitution treatments since 1975. In the present research, we analyze the progress of 119 patients in treatment over a period of ten years. Our results confirm that substitution treatments do often last long (56% over ten years) and that they can be stopped successfully by some patients (29%). Among patients who maintain in the long-term the methadone, we do observe a global stabili zation of their medico-psycho-social situation. The results are convincing concerning the diminution of the heroin consumption and criminality. However, the professional reintegration rate is small and we observe for 30% of them a slow deterioration of their physical health, mainly bond with chronic illnesses (HIV, HCV) and life habits (not appropriate alcohol consumption, nicotine addiction...).
authors.affiliation: Drop-In, Rue des Fausses-Brayes 5, 2000 Neuchâtel. jean-marie.coste@ne.ch
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Coste
authors.forename: Jacques-André
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kummer
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.forename: Pierre-Alain
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Porchet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone