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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2011, 13, 4 (pages: 21 - 26)

Patients who use alcohol during MMT receive lower doses of methadone, show fewer positive urine analyses for opioids, and suffer from PTSD more frequently

Softić J., Awad H.

Summary: The objectives of the study were to identify the prevalence of alcohol use, to find out differences in sociodemographic characteristics, the frequency of PTSD, percentages of invalid war veterans, the average methadone dose and number of positive urine analyses on opioids among patients undergoing methadone substitution treatment who use alcohol from those who abstain. We found that 42 (25.77 %) out of 163 participants had an AUDIT score > 7, indicating alcohol use. The two groups did not differ in terms of sex, age, education, employment, marital status or percentages of war veterans. The statistically significant differences recorded were: lower average dose of methadone, fewer positive urine analyses for opioids and a higher incidence of PTSD among the patients undergoing methadone substitution treatment who were using alcohol. Conclusions: The patients who use alcohol have a lower average dose of methadone, fewer positive urine analyses for opioids and a more frequent presence of PTSD. The risks arising from alcohol abuse and possible PTSD in these patients call for greater attention in everyday practice.