SWEDEN; STOCKHOLM
 
Methadone Program St Göran Hospital
 
The centre employs 8 doctors (psychiatrists), 23 nurses, 28 councellors, 3 social workers, 6 psychologists, 1 managers and 1 administrator.
Treatment philosophy is based upon methadone assisted rehabilitation. The dose of methadone prescribed is 90 mg. (range from 20-250 mg)
Currently the centre treats 319 patients. There is no waiting list.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- social assistance
- psycho therapy
- other services; a rehabilitation program divided in 4 treatment phases
1) 3 weeks inpatient treatment with methadone medication, 3 months of motivation
2) 2 years of support during working with change of lifestyle
3) 3 years og psycho therapy if patient wants this
4) methadone maintenance as long as patient wants it.
Trappan : a program for voluntary trying to stop medicating with methadone
 
The centre demands:
- daily attendance at certain periods
- urine checks at certain periods
- mandatory meeting with social work
 
Violence, threats, dealing drugs, tempering with urine samples or when methadone treatment does not work can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
Procedures for taking patient in for short period:
centre should be informed beforehand by letter or fax.
The letter/fax should mention;
-identity of patient
- treatment history
- dose and period for which the provision of methadone is requested-
- references where information can be checked.
 
The patient must come daily to the clinic to drink the prescribed methadone and leave urine samples.
Visiting patients must show negative screening tests on drugs during their stay in the program.
The patient should present a letter from his/her doctor when visiting the centre.
 
Costs involved depend on social insurance system agreement with Swedish rules.
Official documents to prevent legal problems exist; the Swedish authorities allow a 5-days take-home dose.
 
No maximum duration of treatment.
 
If a patient wants to enrol the programme on a permanent basis, application to the Swedish authorities are necessary.
 
Address:
Methadone Program St Göran Hospital
P.O.box 12557
102 29 Stockholm
Phone +46.8.6721000
Fax +46.8.6721904
 
Address:
St Görans sjukhus,
avd 54, Finsenväg 8F/P.O.BOX 12500,
112 81 Stockholm
 
Contact: Dr. PAULA LILJEBERG 
Email: paula.liljeberg(a)cspo.sll.se
Phone +46.8. 6905627
Fax +46.8.6905916