Table 3 Items and factor loadings in the original abstinence-oriented scale

Confrontation is necessary in the treatment of drug addicts

Left to themselves, most methadone patients would stay in maintenance for life

OMT services should be expanded so all narcotic addicts who want OMT can receive it

Abstinence from all opioids (including methadone) should be the principal goal of maintenance treatment

Methadone maintenance patients who continue to use illicit opiates should have their dose of methadone reduced

No limits should be set on the duration of methadone maintenance

Methadone should be gradually withdrawn once a maintenance patient has ceased using illicit opiates

It is unethical to deny a narcotic addict OMT

OMT patients who ignore repeated warnings to stop using illicit opiates should be gradually withdrawn off methadone

Maintenance patients should only be given enough methadone to prevent the onset of withdrawals

The clinician should encourage patients to remain in methadone maintenance for at least three to four years

It is unethical to maintain addicts on methadone indefinitely

OMT patients who continue to abuse non-opioid drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines) should have their dose of OMT medication reduced.

The clinician's principal role is to prepare methadone maintenance patients for drug-free living