METHADONE MAINTENANCE AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:

An extensive systematic review by Srivastava and colleagues found 15 major studies that reported on clinical experience. Of these, 3 reported that after admission patients increased their consumption while receiving methadone, 3 reported a decrease, and 9 found no significant change. we had to wonder if perhaps the same distribution might be found if one studied alcohol consumption patterns after enrollment in a clinic treating diabetes, or hypertension, or any other chronic medical condition. Publication was in J Subst Ab Treat (2008). 34:215-223.