Abstract
Alcohol consumption and patterns of use were examined in a cohort of 108 patients in methadone maintenance treatment in South London. Measures of alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, liver dysfunction and blood alcohol levels were taken. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of alcohol problems among methadone maintenance patients and to consider resource implications in assessing and monitoring these problems. Although 42% had been abstinent from alcohol for the previous month, mean alcohol consumption among drinkers was 33.5 units of alcohol in the last week, with 25 patients (23%) drinking at levels that may be regarded as dangerous (more than 50 standard units of alcohol per week). Positive correlations were found between self-reported measures of alcohol use, severity of alcohol dependence and breathalyser scores. Associations between self-report alcohol measures and physiological indices of liver dysfunction were positive but weak. A minority of methadone maintenance patients were identified for whom alcohol represents a significant additional challenge to their well-being. In general, self-report represents an adequate barometer of alcohol consumption, and more extensive and expensive tests should be reserved for individuals whose consumption patterns are suspected to be clinically problematic.