In its introduction and overview, the manual advises that methadone is a medication intended to relieve opiate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the craving for illicit opiates. The rationale for using methadone treatment is to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings so as to increase the likelihood that rehabilitative activities will be effective. Methadone does not cure opiate addiction but is rather a tool used to facilitate a cure through other treatment techniques. A chapter on counseling describes the counselor's role, building rapport, coordinating the treatment, regulating the dose, educating the patient, encouraging the patient, formats for counseling patients, ethics, confidentiality, the counselor as a team member, and counselor burnout. The core chapter of the manual discusses the nature and technique of methadone maintenance. It discusses the rationale, procedures, regulations, and patient care in the delivery of methadone maintenance treatment. Other chapters discuss the 21-day detoxification program, work with special populations, and the administration of methadone treatment. The manual contains a number of forms and appendix materials that may be helpful both in implementing some of the requirements of State and Federal regulations and in counseling activities.