Effectiveness
While methadone clinics are generally considered to be effective treatment options for patients addicted to opiates, especially when other interventions have failed, there is controversy surrounding the placement of methadone clinics. There is a perception that the presence of the clinics attracts crime to surrounding areas. However, one study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that is not the case, crime rates do not increase when a methadone clinic is opened.
Relapse rates are high in patients treated at methadone clinics, between 70-90% The high relapse rate may be partially due to the severity of cases seen at methadone clinics, as well as the long term effects of opioid use. Some patients will be on methadone for the rest of their lives, which generates criticism regarding the effectiveness of the clinics. Supporters argue that the clinics aim not just to eliminate narcotic addictions, but also to help people function in their lives.
Methadone clinics may decrease the use of emergency rooms by patients addicted to opiates According to a 2009 Cochrane review, methadone maintenance treatments decreased the likelihood that heroin dependent patients would use heroin, but did not change crime or mortality rates.
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