A study of positive and negative factors associated with tapering off methadone maintenance treatment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Evidence on factors associated with successful methadone tapering in India is limited. This study aims to identify positive and negative factors associated with successful tapering of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed records of 88 patients undergoing MMT tapering at a tertiary care drug treatment clinic (DTC). Demographic, clinical, withdrawal, motivational, and treatment-related factors associated with taper outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventeen participants (19.3%) successfully completed tapering without relapse. Successful tapering was associated with lower baseline methadone dose, lower withdrawal severity, greater motivation, and absence of tobacco use. Participants who relapsed after taper completion had significantly higher taper rates than those who remained abstinent (6.4 vs. 3.3 mg/week; P = 0.039). Fear of relapse, withdrawal symptoms, family instability, economic instability, and fear of death were common barriers to tapering.

CONCLUSION

Successful tapering was associated with lower baseline methadone dose, slower taper rate, lower withdrawal severity, greater motivation, and absence of tobacco use.