Methadone Maintenance Treatment in the U.S.: A Practical Question and Answer Guide

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been the primary form of treatment for opiate dependence in the U.S. for over 40 years. It involves providing drug abusers with a less addictive opiate (methadone) in a clinical setting, and then gradually tapering the methadone dosage. In the United States alone, there are more than 1,200 MMT programs, yet, to date, there has been no comprehensive, user-friendly professional reference book on these programs.

This text addresses this issue, and offers insights into the effectiveness of methadone, and the characteristics of successful methadone treatment programs (budgets, services, staff, etc.), as well as regulation and accreditation issues. The information presented is based on a study of nearly 150 MMT programs in 15 states.