Addiction Treatment Forum has produced a series of more than 20 educational brochures available in both English and Spanish for opioid-dependent patients in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. The brochures are available as a series of PDF files for you to download and print out at your convenience. The brochures can be duplicated for handouts to patients as long as the copyright information is included. Printed copies of the brochures are no longer available.
General Interest
Introducing the Road to Recovery
- This introductory brochure provides a basic understanding of: What is methadone? What is Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT)? How safe is methadone? How much methadone do you need? How long does treatment take? What’s Next? [Released 1998]
English (301KB; 2pp) Spanish (301KB, 2pp)
Discontinuing MMT: Why, When, How?
- This brochure is designed to explain that there are many important points to consider before discontinuing methadone and leaving MMT including: Who should consider discontinuing methadone? How is methadone discontinued? How long does MSW (Medically Supervised Withdrawal) take? Are you ready for MSW? What can you do? [Released 2004]
English (255KB; 2pp) Spanish (254KB, 2pp)
Understanding MMT Clinic Rules
- This brochure provides a basic understanding of some of the many rules that methadone clinics follow including: Who makes the rules? How are clinic hours determined? Why are urine tests necessary? Why is methadone so restricted? Who is allowed take-home doses? What should you do? [Released 2000]
English (295KB; 2pp) Spanish (297KB, 2pp)
What is Success in MMT?
- This brochure describes some attainable benefits of MMT and certain pitfalls to avoid. Topics include:What are the immediate goals of MMT? How does one get on the road to recovery? Why is take-home methadone a measure of success? What about lapses and relapses? How long must MMT continue for success? What can you do? [Released 2004]
English (270KB; 2pp) Spanish (270KB, 2pp)
Methadone Rx and Safety
Getting Started on Methadone
- This brochure explains some of specific safety measures for getting started on methadone and what to expect including: What’s different about methadone? How is a starting dose determined? What if the dose is too low? What about methadone overmedication? Is ther a “best” methadone dose? What can you do? [Released 2003]
English (189KB; 2pp) Spanish (187KB, 2pp)
How Much Methadone is Enough?
- This brochure provides important information to help you know how much methadone is “enough” addressing: Why is adequate methadone dose important? How much is “enough”? Why are dose requirements different? Do higher doses cause worse side effects? Does a higher dose create more dependence? What can you do? [Released 2003]
English (258KB; 2pp) Spanish (258KB, 2pp)
The Dangers of Substance Abuse During MMT
- Mixing methadone and alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe. This brochure explains why and what to do about it addressing: Why is substance abuse harmful during MMT? How does alcohol affect methadone? What other drugs are hazardous? Are some substances, like marijuana, less harmful? How does substance abuse complicate MMT? What can you do? [Released 2003]
English (150KB; 2pp) Spanish (150KB, 2pp)
Using Methadone Safely
- This brochure provides some important reminders for using methadone safely and what to do if an emergency occurs. Topics include: Why is methadone safety so important? What is opioid overmedication? How can unintended use be prevented? What about sharing methadone with another person? What else can you do? [Released 2003]
English (182KB; 2pp) Spanish (182KB, 2pp)
Methadone Interactions with Other Drugs
- Certain drugs or products can react with methadone in undesirable ways. This brochure discusses: Is this a serious problem? What causes drug interactions? Which drugs can cause problems? Should certain drugs be avoided? What can your doctor do? What can you do? [Released 2002]
English (330KB; 2pp) Spanish (334KB, 2pp)
Methadone & Other Health Issues
Constipation During MMT
- Many patients experience constipation during MMT. This brochure discusses the problem of constipation and what to do about it including: What is constipation? Why do some MMT patients have constipation? What can you do? Are there medications for constipation? What else can you do? [Released 2005]
English (313KB; 2pp) Spanish (295KB, 2pp)
Dealing with Pain
- This brochure helps explain some of the special needs methadone patients may have when it comes to treating pain including: Why doesn’t methadone in MMT block pain? What if pain goes untreated? How is pain treated when you are taking methadone? Are there any painkillers to avoid? Can you stay on methadone? What should you do? [Released 1999]
English (273KB; 2pp) Spanish (271KB, 2pp)
Getting help for Sexual Problems
- This brochure offers some advice and encouragement for the many persons in MMT who have sexual problems including: How common are sexual problems? What are the problems? What are the causes? How can an MMT program help? Does methadone affect sexual problems? What should you do? [Released 2001]
English (179KB; 2pp) Spanish (177KB, 2pp)
Living with HIV/AIDS During MMT
- This brochure provides a basic understanding of HIV/AIDS and offers some tips for receiving the best care possible. Topics include: What is HIV? What is AIDS? How is HIV infection treated? Can life continue normally? Does methadone affect HIV/AIDS? What can you do? [Released 2004]
English (164KB; 2pp) Spanish (162KB, 2pp)
Mending Mental Health During MMT
- This brochure explains some mental problems frequently faced during recovery and how they can be helped by participation in MMT addressing: How does addiction affect mental health? Can medicine help? Are there side effects of the medication? What about psychotherapy? Does methadone help or hinder recovery from mental problems? What can you do? [Released 2004]
English (196KB; 2pp) Spanish (193KB, 2pp)
Methadone & Mental Functioning
- This brochure explains how individuals stabilized in MMT can be just as mentally alert and intellectually capable as any other persons. Topics include: What are the concerns? Does methadone affect intelligence? What about job skills? Is driving safe while on methadone? Does dose matter? What to watch for? [Released 2002]
English (281KB; 2pp) Spanish (277KB, 2pp)
MMT and Pregnancy
- This brochure discusses what advantages does MMT offer for pregnant women? What is the best methadone dose? Does methadone affect childbirth pain? How is the baby affected? What about after childbirth? What else can you do? [Released 1999]
English (283KB; 2pp) Spanish (284KB, 2pp)
Sleep Problems During MMT
- This brochure outlines that there are some simple steps you can take yourself to help deal with sleep problems, and clinic medical staff also may be of help. Topics of discussion include: What is insomnia? How common are sleep problems? What can you do? Are there medications for insomnia? What else can you do? [Released 2005]
English (236KB; 2pp) Spanish (231KB, 2pp)
Understanding Hepatitis C
- This brochure helps explains what hepatitis C is and steps you can take if patients are infected. Topics include: Who gets hepatitis C? Is this a serious illness? How is the virus spread? Is hepatitis easy to detect? Are there treatments? What can you do? [Released 2001]
English (217KB; 2pp) Spanish (218KB, 2pp)
Sharing Information on MMT
An Update on MMT for Healthcare Providers
- This brochure discusses several concerns of importance to healthcare providers in treating methadone-maintained patients including: Methadone Effective & Safe, Normalized Functionality, Adequate Methadone Dose, Pain Management, Avoiding Drug Interactions, and Further Suggestions. [Released 2002]
English (115KB; 2pp) Spanish (109KB, 2pp)
Helping Your Loved One in MMT
- Recovery from drug addiction is a lifelong journey. This brochure offers some suggestions on how you can participate in that journey and offer help to your loved one. Topics include: What is drug addiction? How does methadone work? How long does MMT take? How can you help? What else can you do? [Released 2002]
English (259KB; 2pp) Spanish (260KB, 2pp)
Telling Others about MMT
- This brochure provides some helpful suggestions on telling others about your participation in MMT including: Will others understand? What should others know? Should family & friends be told? What about people at work? Do health care providers need to know? What else can you do? [Released 2000]
English (162KB; 2pp) Spanish (163KB, 2pp)