Deterrents to Methadone Treatment Enrollment:

An important study addresses the question: "Why don't out-of-treatment individuals enter methadone treatment" (Int J Drug Policy 2010; 21(1):36-42). The major reasons given by a small (n=26) cohort of subjects in Baltimore were: waiting lists, financial barriers and requirement to carry photo ID. Another reason given: unwillingness to commit to long-term maintenance, "but would have accepted shorter time-limited methadone treatment". Some of these barriers could, presumably, be removed promptly and at no cost: e.g., accepting driver's licenses or other ID in lieu of "program" ID, and publicizing availability of short-term maintenance or even shorter-term detoxification. We can only hope these research findings will be translated into practice.