PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY - PREVALENCE IN METHADONE-MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

This study examines prevalence rates for DSM-III-R anxiety and affecti ve disorders in three follow-up samples of opioid addicts who were tre ated with methadone maintenance. At least one anxiety disorder was dia gnosed in 55% of the total sample. Affective disorders were found in 5 8%. At least one anxiety disorder coexisted with at least one affectiv e disorder in 36% of the sample. The research demonstrates that opiate addiction in this sample is most often associated with other comorbid psychopathology. it suggests a need for thorough assessment for gener al psychopathology in opioid addicts entering addiction treatment, esp ecially assessment for anxiety and affective disorders. It also sugges ts the need for treatment that focuses on diagnosed mental disorders i n addition to drug counseling for the substance abuse disorder.