Comparison of General Well-being of Patients Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) with Patients Undergoing Naltrexone Therapy

BACKGROUND: Drug abuse is a problem that causes a wide array of social, emotional, and physical problems and involves both patients and the society. Helping the addicted has always been a priority for physicians and especially psychiatrists. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the effects of methadone and naltrexone in general well-being of patients undergoing these treatments. METHODS: Forty-six patients who were taking either methadone or naltrexone were selected and evaluated for a period of 5 months using a 28-item questionnaire about their general health. RESULTS: In spite of the fact that patients undergoing methadone treatment had more severe symptoms and prognoses regarding their age, duration of drug abuse, and number of treatment attempts, these patients showed better general health and social functioning comparing to patients undergoing naltrexone treatment during the 6-month period of this study (P<0.000). CONCLUSION: Methadone might be regarded as an effective and useful medicine in treatment of addiction.