One-year mortality rates following methadone treatment discharge

OBJECTIVES: Mortality among 507 patients in a methadone program over a 1-year period was assessed. METHODS: Mortality was determined for patients in treatment (n = 397), and 12 months later for those discharged (n = 110). RESULTS: Of discharged patients, 8.2% (9/110) had died, of which six were caused by heroin overdose. None of the discharged clients were in treatment at the time of death. All deaths were among clients who either dropped out of treatment or were discharged unfavorably from the program. Comparatively, only 1% (4/397) of patients died while enrolled in treatment. CONCLUSION: Death rates, especially overdose, are high among patients who are unfavorably discharged or drop out of methadone treatment. Efforts should be made to retain these at-risk patients in methadone treatment even though treatment response may be suboptimal.