Adolescent and young adult heroin patients: drug use and success in methadone maintenance treatment.

This study examined the impact of methadone maintenance treatment on an inclusive group of adolescent and young adult opiate-dependent patients, ages 15-23, admitted over a 6-year period, during their first year in the program. Retention in treatment was the primary outcome variable, and at 12 months, 48% were still in treatment. The findings were: (a) a stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed that patients who consistently used heroin were at a greater risk of leaving treatment within the first 12 months; (b) the use of cocaine was an indicator of higher levels of heroin use in those who reached the one-year mark; (c) among patients who stayed in treatment for one year, there was a significant reduction in heroin use, a trend toward a reduction in cocaine use, and no significant impact on benzodiazepine use; and (d) the group that stayed in treatment was slightly younger than the group that left before the first year ended. There were no gender or ethnic differences between the two groups. Suggestions for interventions that might improve treatment outcome are presented.

Antidepressant treatment patterns in a novel methadone maintenance clinic targeting young adults an observational study.

This observational study examined the antidepressant treatment patterns of a novel New York City methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP), founded for the treatment of adolescents and now targeting young adults and older patients with special problems. The goal of the study was to investigate demographic or clinical characteristics that were associated with prescribing patterns, as well as whether antidepressant use was associated with sobriety. The method of data collection was a thorough chart review. Antidepressant treatment was significantly associated with gender, education, marital status, and relapse. However, after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, antidepressant treatment was not significantly associated with a reduction in relapse risk. Further research is needed to explore these relationships, as well as their generalizability to adult methadone clinics, and to examine the underlying factors that lead to similarities and distinctions in antidepressant prescribing practices between various types of clinics (i.e., general outpatient vs. methadone maintenance).

Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus-1 co-infection in former heroin addicts in methadone maintenance treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence in former opiate or heroin addicts currently in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). METHODS: Retrospective chart review for patients (n = 342) currently attending two MMT clinics affiliated with New York Presbyterian Hospital (Adolescent Development Program, ADP: n = 106, median age 30 years; Adult Clinic, AC: n = 236, median age 45 years), as of May 2000. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalence of those tested was 67% for HCV (ADP, 44%; AC, 80%), and 29% for HIV-1 (ADP, 13%, AC, 39%). Co-infection was present in 26% of patients (ADP, 13%; AC, 35%). Prevalence of HCV reached 92% in the 45-49 year old group (n = 53). The greatest HIV-1 prevalence (45%) was in the 35-39 year old group (n = 33). There was a linear relationship between infection seroprevalence and age at admission into MMT. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of HCV and HIV-1 infections in MMT patients varies both by current age and by age at admission to MMT. This population needs risk reduction education and treatment for HCV and HIV- 1.