title: A national study of the retention of Irish opiate users in methadone substitution treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retention in treatment is a key indicator of methadone treatment success. The study aims to identify factors that are associated with retention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine retention in treatment at 12 months for Irish opiate users in methadone substitution treatment and to indicate factors that increase the likelihood of retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  National cohort study of randomly selected opiate users commencing methadone treatment in 1999, 2001, and 2003 (n = 1269).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one percent of patients attending methadone treatment remained in continuous treatment for more than 1 year. Retention in treatment at 12 months was associated with age, gender, facility type, and methadone dose. Age and gender were no longer significant when adjusted for other variables in the model. Those who attended a specialist site were twice as likely to leave methadone treatment within 12 months compared with those who attended a primary care physician. The most important predictor of retention in treatment was methadone dose. Those who received <60 mg of methadone were three times more likely to leave treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retention in methadone treatment is high in Ireland in a variety of settings. The main factors influencing retention in methadone treatment was an adequate methadone dose and access to a range of treatment settings including from primary care physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing an adequate dose of methadone during treatment will increase the likelihood of treatment retention. Methadone treatment by the primary care physician is a successful method of retaining opioid users in treatment.
authors: Health Services Executive, Dr. Steeven’s Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. Louise.mullen@hse.ie
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Mullen
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Barry
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Long
authors: Eamon
authors: E
authors: Keenan
authors: Deirdre
authors: D
authors: Mulholland
authors: Loretto
authors: L
authors: Grogan
authors: Ide
authors: I
authors: Delargy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone