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Effects of methadone on cognition, mood and craving in detoxifying opiate addicts: a dose-response study

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Abstract.

Rationale: Methadone is the most widespread pharmacological treatment for opiate dependency but relatively little is known of its effects on cognitive and psychomotor functioning, drug craving and mood. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the acute effects of methadone in patients admitted to an opiate detoxification programme. Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups who received either 50% or 100% of their daily stabilisation dose, and a placebo, in a double-blind, cross-over design. Twenty patients completed the study, all were assessed pre- and post-drug on 2 separate testing days. Results: Performance on a task tapping episodic memory (delayed recall of a prose passage) was significantly impaired following the 100% daily dose of methadone. Methadone treatment had no effect on craving or mood. Patients were unable to distinguish between methadone and placebo treatments. Conclusions: A single dose of methadone can induce episodic memory impairment in patients who have a history of heroin use averaging more than 10 years. Such impairment can be avoided by giving methadone in divided doses.

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Curran, H., Kleckham, J., Bearn, J. et al. Effects of methadone on cognition, mood and craving in detoxifying opiate addicts: a dose-response study. Psychopharmacology 154, 153–160 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000628

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000628

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