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
By: Jillian L. Scavone, PhD,1 Robert C. Sterling, PhD,2 Stephen P. Weinstein, PhD,2 and Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele, PhD1
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
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv insight
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