Sunday, January 24, 2016

Impact of Cannabis Use During Stabilization on Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Background and Objectives
Illicit drug use, particularly of cannabis, is common among opiate-dependent individuals, and has the potential to impact treatment in a negative manner.

Methods
To examine this, patterns of cannabis use prior to and during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) were examined to assess possible cannabis-related effects on MMT, particularly during methadone stabilization. Retrospective chart analysis was used to examine outpatient records of patients undergoing MMT (n=91), focusing specifically on past and present cannabis use and its association with opiate abstinence, methadone dose stabilization, and treatment compliance.

Results
Objective rates of cannabis use were high during methadone induction, dropping significantly following dose stabilization. History of cannabis use correlated with cannabis use during MMT, but did not negatively impact the methadone induction process. Pilot data also suggested that objective ratings of opiate withdrawal decrease in MMT patients using cannabis during stabilization.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance
The present findings may point to novel interventions to be employed during treatment for opiate dependence that specifically target cannabinoid-opioid system interactions.







Full article at:   http://goo.gl/hFf8AP

1Department of Neuroscience, Farber Institute for Neurosciences (http://www.jefferson.edu/university/farber_institute.html), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Address correspondence to Dr. Sterling, Division of Substance Abuse Programs, 1021 S 21st St, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19146. Email:ude.nosreffej@gnilrets.treboR





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