@article{09d2a978324d4ff0a2a345a4cacbccc6,
title = "The reductions in monetary cost and gains in productivity with methadone maintenance treatment: One year follow-up",
abstract = "While methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is beneficial for heroin dependence, there is little information regarding the reductions in monetary cost and gains in productivity following MMT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the monetary cost of heroin addiction and productivity after one year of MMT. Twenty-nine participants from an MMT clinic were included. The monetary cost, productivity, quality of life (QOL) and mental health status were assessed at both baseline and one year follow-up. The average annual total cost was approximately US$26,485 (1.43 GDP per capita in 2010) at baseline, and decreased by 59.3% to US$10,784 (0.58 GDP) at follow-up. The mean number of months of unemployment dropped from 6.03 to 2.79, the mean income increased to exceed the basic salary, but only reached 45.3% of the national average monthly earnings. The participants' mental health improved, but their QOL scores did not increase significantly. After one year of MMT, the monetary cost of heroin addiction fell, both the productivity and mental health of the participants' improved, but limited gains were seen with regard to their QOL.",
author = "Hsiao, {Chih Yin} and Chen, {Kao Chin} and Lee, {Lan Ting} and Tsai, {Hsin Chun} and Chang, {Wei Hung} and Lee, {I. Hui} and Chen, {Po See} and Lu, {Ru Band} and Yang, {Yen Kuang}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was supported in part by grants from the Atomic Energy Council of Taiwan ( 962014L , 970930L , and NL81376 ), National Cheng Kung University Hospital ( NCKUH-10002017 ), and the National Science Council of Taiwan ( NSC 97-NU-7-006-001 and NSC 98-2314-B-006-024 ). This research also received funding ( D102-35001 and D103-35A09 ) from the Headquarters of University Advancement at the National Cheng Kung University , which is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, ROC. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors wish to thank Dr. Shih-Hsien Lin, Ms. Tsai Hua Chang, Mr. Chien Ting Lin, and all of the research participants. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.",
year = "2015",
month = feb,
day = "28",
doi = "10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.023",
language = "English",
volume = "225",
pages = "673--679",
journal = "Psychiatry Research",
issn = "0165-1781",
publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
number = "3",
}