Methadone Maintenance Treatment: The Other Side of the Coin

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Abstract
The psychopharmacological rationale and clinical effectiveness of the methadone maintenance treatment program [MMTP] was subjected to critical theoretical and methodological analysis. The MMTP constitutes and perpetuates an immature coping mechanism; i.e., subliminal euphoria, pervasive pharmacological shielding of addicts from the inevitable discomforts attending adaptation to the real world. It does not satisfy so-called tissue craving for florid euphoria because most stabilized clients actively seek and obtain same from heroin, methadone itself and/or other potentially euphorogenic drugs. The source of this craving resides in the addict''s personality rather than in his tissues. Offical evaluation studies of the MMTP grossly exaggerate its clinical effectiveness. The MMTP has inadvertently created incomparably more primary methadone addicts than it has cured heroin addicts.

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