Retention in treatment of heroin users in Italy: the role of treatment type and of methadone maintenance dosage.

Abstract

Retention in treatment among 1503 heroin users attending public treatment centres in 1995 was studied. Three different treatments were considered: methadone maintenance, drug-free program and naltrexone. The retention rate after 1 year was 40% for patients in methadone maintenance, 18% in naltrexone and 15% in drug-free program. For patients in maintenance, methadone dosage and clinic policy were the most important factors for retention. Patients taking > or = 60 mg/day and 30-59 mg/day were respectively 70 and 50% more likely to remain in treatment than those receiving a < 30 mg daily dose. Patients in maintenance-oriented clinics were 30% more likely to remain in treatment than those in abstinence-oriented centres.