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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2011, 13, 3 (pages: 27 - 38)

A comparison of the drug use patterns, measures of needs and quality of life of methadone maintained patients using and not using cocaine

Ducray K., Byrne P., Burke C., Smyth B. P.

Summary: Cocaine use on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is believed to complicate clinical outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether cocaine users on MMT require distinct services by virtue of their differential drug use, needs and quality of life relative to non- cocaine users. A cross sectional survey of 108 adults attending a Dublin opioid treatment service was conducted. The urine toxicology screens, Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedules and WHO Quality of Life- Bref responses of respondents defined as either cocaine users or non- cocaine users were compared. Whilst cocaine use on MMT was not significantly associated with adverse measures of need or quality of life, it was linked to significantly greater heroin use and to more frequent injecting.