TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1999//
TI  - Dose-effect relationship between overdose mortality and prescribed methadone dosage in low-threshold maintenance programs
JO  - Addictive behaviors
A1  - van Ameijden, E. J.
A1  - Langendam, M. W.
A1  - Coutinho, R. A.
SP  - 559
EP  - 563
VL  - 24
IS  - 4
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0306-4603
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -