Methadone-maintained patients in primary care have higher rates of chronic disease and multimorbidity, and use health services more intensively than matched controls.

Methadone maintenance treatment in primary care is cost-effective and improves outcomes for opiate-dependent patients. A more developed understanding of the evolving needs of this important cohort will facilitate further improvements in their integrated care within the community. Correcting for routine methadone care and drug-related illnesses, MMPs had a higher burden of chronic disease and used both primary and secondary health services more intensively than matched controls