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Overview of methadone maintenance treatment

What is methadone maintenance treatment?

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a comprehensive treatment program that involves the long-term prescribing of methadone as an alternative to the opioid on which the client was dependent. Central to MMT is the provision of counselling, case management and other medical and psychosocial services.

Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that is prescribed as a treatment for opioid dependence and the management of chronic pain. MMT addresses only the treatment of opioid dependence.

Methadone may be substituted for other opioids because tolerance to one opioid, such as methadone, also blocks the effects of other opioids. This phenomenon is known as cross-tolerance. Cross-tolerance develops between substances that act on the same types of receptors in the brain. For example, people who have built up tolerance to morphine are also tolerant to other opioid agonist drugs.

Methadone is taken orally and dispensed in about 100 millilitres of liquid that does not lend itself to injection (usually an orange drink, such as Tang). Once the client is stabilized at the right dose, methadone will:

  • suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms
  • reduce cravings for opioids
  • not induce intoxication (e.g., sedation or euphoria)
  • reduce the euphoric effects of other opioids, such as heroin.

Benefits of MMT

Methadone alleviates the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Once methadone reaches a sufficient level in a client's blood, his or her cravings are reduced. Methadone is longer acting (24 to 36 hours) than most other opioids. For example, heroin, which is short acting (three to six hours), is often injected several times a day while, in MMT, methadone is administered only once a day.

Tolerance to methadone develops slowly, so clients can be maintained in MMT indefinitely. If it is prescribed properly, methadone is considered medically safe as a treatment for opioid dependence.

Research shows that methadone is a cost-effective treatment for opioid dependence (Ward & Sutton, 1998; Rufener et al., 1977). A variety of studies have found that MMT is associated with a reduction in:

  • the use of other opioids
  • mortality
  • injection drug-related risk behaviours
  • high-risk behaviour associated with the transmission of HIV and other sexually
  • transmitted diseases
  • criminal activity.

In addition, MMT improves:

  • physical and mental health
  • social functioning
  • quality of life
  • retention in treatment programs.

For all of these reasons, increasing access to methadone maintenance treatment is a priority. Efforts to overcome barriers to access have included increasing awareness among health professionals of the benefits of MMT and increasing recognition of the need for services that are flexible and focus on the client's needs.

For a more in-depth discussion of methadone in the context of MMT, see Chapter 3 of Methadone Maintenance: A Counsellor's Guide to Treatment.

The pharmacokinetic properties of methadone are also discussed as part of the CAMH online course on opioid dependence.

The treatment team

In specialized MMT programs, physicians commonly work closely with on-site counsellors. A cohesive treatment team, which may include an on-site pharmacist and/or a nurse, makes therapeutic decisions. In other situations, MMT involves pharmacists and counsellors working in the community. In all these situations, good communication among all those involved is essential to providing safe and effective MMT.

Regulation of MMT

Until May 2018, practitioners needed exemption from Health Canada before they could prescribe, sell, provide or administer methadone.

As of May 19, 2018. exemptions are no longer required from Health Canada for practitioners to prescribe, administer, sell or provide methadone to their patients.

Further details are available on the Health Canada website.

Practitioners and pharmacists are still required to meet all other applicable provisions of the Narcotic Control Regulations, as well as the requirements established by their province or territory or the  licensing authority These requirements may include additional courses or training. 

The Opioid Misuse and Addiction Toolkit has a list of links to provincial regulations and training.

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In overview of methadone maintenance treatment

Screening and assessment in MMT

Assessment process

Phases of treatment

MMT for clients with infectious diseases

MMT for clients with concurrent mental health problems

MMT for clients who are pregnant

MMT for clients who are homeless

MMT for clients in rural or remote settings

References

Resources


Methadone maintenance treatment

Screening and assessment

Phases of treatment

MMT for clients:

Resources

 

 

   

 

Related links

Opioid misuse and addiction toolkit