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Does Methadone Treatment Change Alcohol Consumption?
December 2007

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Research Summary and Comments

Unhealthy alcohol use is common among patients receiving methadone treatment. The effect of such treatment on alcohol consumption, however, is not clearly understood. Therefore, researchers reviewed and summarized the findings of 15 relevant studies.
  • Nine studies found no change in alcohol consumption after the start of or during methadone treatment. Three studies found an increase in alcohol consumption, while another 3 reported a decrease.
  • The studies that found no change or a decrease in alcohol consumption had better methods (e.g., some were randomized and controlled) than the studies that found an increase in alcohol consumption.

Comments by Tommie Ann Bower, MA:
This review clarifies that alcohol use generally continues during methadone treatment. Clinical teams in methadone treatment programs are encouraged to randomly screen for alcohol use. Teams should provide information on the impact of alcohol on health, social functioning, and relapse as part of patient education. In some cases, they may also need to examine patient attitudes toward alcohol, looking for and addressing minimization.

Reference:
Srivastava A, Kahan M, Ross S. The effect of methadone maintenance treatment on alcohol consumption: A systematic review. J Subst Abuse Treat. 007;doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2007.04.001.

This summary was adapted from text previously published in Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence.