@article{ref1,
title="Dose-effect relationship between overdose mortality and prescribed methadone dosage in low-threshold maintenance programs",
journal="Addictive behaviors",
year="1999",
author="van Ameijden, E. J. and Langendam, M. W. and Coutinho, R. A.",
volume="24",
number="4",
pages="559-563",
abstract="The present study evaluates the effectiveness of low-threshold methadone maintenance in reducing overdose mortality. In a prospective cohort study conducted in Amsterdam, 498 Dutch injecting drug users (IDU) provided 1,969 person years of follow-up (1989-1995). Forty-four IDU died in this period, 15 due to illicit drug overdose. Compared to IDU not in maintenance, the adjusted relative risk for overdose mortality among those receiving 5-50 mg, 55-70 mg, and 75+ mg were 0.35, 0.13, and 0.11, respectively (p < .05). Also current injection use and HIV-seropositivity were independent predictors for overdose mortality. Whereas previous studies indicated effectiveness of methadone-assisted detoxification and high-dose maintenance programs in reducing mortality, the present study findings suggest that low-threshold maintenance programs also reduce overdose mortality, with higher dosages being most protective.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0306-4603",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}