Predictors of outcome in LAAM, buprenorphine, and methadone treatment for opioid dependence.

Author(s): Marsch LA, Stephens MA, Mudric T, Strain EC, Bigelow GE, Johnson RE

Affiliation(s): Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. marsch@ndri.org

Publication date & source: 2005-11, Exp Clin Psychopharmacol., 13(4):293-302.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

This study examined (1) predictors of treatment outcome for opioid-dependent participants in a single-site controlled trial comparing methadone, buprenorphine, and LAAM treatments and (2) the extent to which various subpopulations of patients may have more successful outcomes with each medication. The relationships between patient demographics, drug use history, and psychological status and outcome measures of treatment retention, opiate use, and cocaine use were assessed. We believe this study to be the first to demonstrate that predictors of treatment success appear to be largely similar in LAAM, buprenorphine, and methadone treatment for opioid dependence. We did not find any factors that would strongly guide selection of one medication over others. Copyright 2005 APA, all rights reserved.