Journal of substance abuse treatment
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J Subst Abuse Treat · Sep 2008
Comparative StudyMortality in heroin users 3 years after naltrexone implant or methadone maintenance treatment.
Concerns that treatment for heroin dependence using naltrexone may increase suicide rates during treatment and fatal overdoses posttreatment have been expressed. There is also disquiet about mortality during induction onto methadone. We assessed mortality during specific periods following treatment with naltrexone implants or methadone. ⋯ Increased mortality during induction onto methadone was confirmed. Evidence relating naltrexone to either increased suicide or overdose was not found. Overall mortality rates for naltrexone implant were similar to those for methadone, but increased mortality during methadone induction was avoided.