40 heroin addicts of whom 20 were undergoing maintenance therapy with
hydrocodon (Dicodid(R)) and another 20 with methadone have been questi
oned by standardized interview regarding their previous history and pr
esent situation. With data on the history we examined how well heroin
addicts succeed in getting away from criminality and prostitution and
look for employment while undergoing drug maintenance therapy. We were
also interested to learn whether reaching the aim depended on the mai
ntenance medication, i.e. if hydrocodon is as appropriate as methadone
for maintenance therapy. The inquiry showed a significant reduction o
f criminality and prostitution. The rate of employment was quite stabl
e. The therapeutic successes, measured by employment, prostitution and
criminality did not differ with medication by hydrocodon or methadone
. Although the more reliable patients received hydrocodon and the less
reliable methadone, they did not differ either in past history or in
therapeutic success. We conclude that hydrocodon can be recommended fo
r maintenance therapy of relatively reliable heroin addicts.