Drug Therapy For Heroin Dependence Evaluation

Question 1

Supporting evidence? 2002

Answer 1

Blättler et al (2002) found that those given prescribed heroin reduced their general use of cocaine and showed behavioural changes associated with abstinence supporting the use of drug treatment in heroin dependency.

Question 2

Supporting evidence? 1991

Answer 2

Similarly, Ball and Ross (1991) found that methadone was effective in reducing illicit opiate use supporting the use of drug treatment in heroin dependency.

Question 3

Evaluate in terms of usefulness?

Answer 3

A main strength of drug maintenance programmes is that it enables the addict to break links with drug dealers and other drug users. Studies have also demonstrated that methadone maintenance programmes are also successful in reducing crime and the spread of HIV. Therefore very useful.

Question 4

Evaluate in terms of safety?

Answer 4

Overdosing on methadone is also much harder than doing so on other sources of opiates and because it is swallowed there is no risk of infection such as catching hepatitis through dirty needles. Furthermore, drug therapy improves the quality of life of addicts because abuse, prostitution, theft, etc. are reduced and so too are the associated risks.

Question 5

Evaluate in terms of cost and time?

Answer 5

Drug replacement therapy for heroin can be very costly to the NHS and government when it is seen as simply replacing one drug with another.
Many patients need treatment for at least 2 years and not all addicts try to give up methadone completely - once stable they continue to access methadone programmes,

Question 6

Evaluate in terms of reductionist?

Answer 6

Studies suggest that methadone programmes are most successful when other psychosocial help is given such as social support and encouraging the avoidance of people and places linked with their addiction.