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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2001, 03, 1 (pages: 35 - 42)

Articulation of codeine treatment and methadone maintenance programs

Okruhlica L., Klempova D., Timulakova K.

Summary: The Centre for Treatment of Drug Dependencies in Bratislava is implementing a complex integrative model which provides fourteen different programme options for its clients. This paper studies the relashionship and interaction between the treatment process in two maintenance programmes: 1) with codeine phosphate (n=74), and 2) with methadone hydrochloride (n=132). There were no differences in the gender composition or working status of the groups, but a significant difference was found in age composition; differences in retention rates and dosages were focused on, too. Codeine substitution had been introduced into our practice prior to the availability of methadone maintenance. It has still not been eliminated, largely due to the fact that it is requested by the patients, but also because of some other aspects considered by the therapist in managing the treatment process. The different characteristics of these two programmes, their possible determinants, as well as practical considerations and the advantages of keeping the two programmes running side by side on a non-competitive basis are discussed.