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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2010, 12, 1 (pages: 17 - 24)

Dose Determination in Dual Diagnosed Heroin Addicts during Methadone Treatment

Maremmani I., Pacini M., Canoniero S., Deltito J., Maremmani A. G. I., Tagliamonte A.

Summary: Ninety-nine consecutive responders to treatment for heroin addiction (54 with one or more Axis I psychiatric diagnosis (DD-patients), and 45 without psychiatric comorbidity (NDD-patients), were monitored prospectively (20 months on average, min.1, max. 51), in order to achieve some useful clinical information pertaining to effective methadone dose determination for double diagnosed heroin addicts. First day and first month dosages do not differ between the two groups. Stabilization dosages are higher in DD patients than in NDD patients. The time to reach stabilization phase is longer in DD patients than in NDD patients. Tapering of methadone follows a similar trend in both groups. DD patients need more attention from clinicians, especially when stabilization dosage has to be established.