This is a one-day course that will give a basic grounding in the theory and practice of methadone treatment. It provides an understanding of the use of methadone in the treatment of opiate dependency, and shows its importance as a treatment option. It also covers the history and development of methadone, as well as practical information and advice about how methadone works, and how it can be best provided so as to optimise its use a treatment.

Whilst the course assumes little previous knowledge of the subject, it is important that participants have basic skills of listening and communicating, and have follow-up support available in their own areas (or there is a commitment to provide this in the future).

The course also offers an in depth examination of the pharmacology and use of other forms of substitute prescribing in the context of the current situation in the UK.

This course is now only delivered by request. The Alliance’s trainers will come to you and train a maximum of 15 people for a flat fee of £2,000 for the day. Please contact us for more information.

(i) Methadone

• Brief history of treatment:
• Benefits of methadone e.g.
• related to illicit drug use.
• in reducing crime.

(ii)Maintenance Therapy

• Objectives e.g.
• prevent opiate withdrawal
• normalize physiological function
• discourage illicit opiate use.

(iii) Importance of correct dose

• World wide clinical surveys validate the importance of prescribing an adequate and effective dose (80 – 120 mgs)
• Evidence based research including:
• Hargreaves 1983
• Watters & Price 1985

• Not an immediate process it takes place over time.

(v) Methadone & Mortality

• Statistical trends over 10 years.

(vi) Problems with methadone

• Review and discuss statements used to invalidate methadone prescribing.

(vii) Limitations of methadone prescribing

• Who does methadone help?
• Exceptions

(viii) Safe practice when using methadone.

• The prescribing agency issues.
• The medical issues.

(ix) Supervised consumption

• Who is it for.
• Duration.
• Who benefits.
• Problems, including: 
• those in employment
• people with child care issues

(x) Alternative prescribing

• Diamorphine – agonist
• Derivation
• Pharmacological function
• Uses – maintenance / detox.
• Problems
• Buprenorphine – partial agonist / antagonist
• Derivation
• Pharmacological function
• Uses – maintenance / detox
• Problems
• Lofexidine
• Derivation
• Pharmacological function
• Uses – withdrawal management