Pubdate: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) Copyright: 2006 PG Publishing Contact: http://www.post-gazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341 Author: William Miller, Clinical Director Addiction Specialists Inc. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) METHADONE FACTS The Associated Press article "Methadone Still Distrusted Despite Success," published in the Aug. 20 Post-Gazette, while initially informative, suffered a disastrous relapse in the final paragraph. The statement that "most patients have to take it [methadone] every day for the rest of their lives" is inaccurate and perpetuates negative myths. In reality less than 10 percent of methadone patients will remain on methadone for life. Innovative narcotic treatment programs (NTP is the new cognomen for "methadone clinic") place the emphasis on treatment and view methadone as only one of many tools available to achieve recovery. While both federal and Pennsylvania regulations require only 2.5 hours of treatment per month for patients, we are able to offer up to 24 hours per week of intensive, focused treatment designed to help patients return, as quickly as clinically appropriate, to a productive, drug-free lifestyle. This is the direction "most patients" pursue. William Miller, Clinical Director Addiction Specialists Inc. Downtown - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom