Is Methadone Enough? The Use of Ancillary Treatment During Methadone Maintenance

Methadone maintenance treatment programs are increasing in number. The question arises: "Is methadone blockade alone sufficient to rehabilitate narcotic addicts?" Addicts maintained on methadone at the Center for Special Problems had eight ancillary treatment modalities available. They used crisis intervention and vocational rehabilitation most often. One group of patients made excellent life adjustments with little ancillary treatment, while another group used many modalities but adjusted poorly. Patients requiring individual psychotherapy made the poorest adjustment and had the highest rate of attrition from the program.