METHADONE TREATMENT FOR OPIATE ADDICTION - BENEFITS IN THE FIRST MONTH

Data are presented on benefits observed in the immediate post-recruitm ent phase of outpatient treatment of opiate addicts with oral methadon e. On re-interview by independent researchers at one-month, levels of drug use had reduced, with weekly intake of heroin reducing to a fifth , and of cocaine to a quarter (with significant re ductions in both fr equency of use and in amounts used per occasion). Significantly fewer opiate addicts were still injecting at follow-up, and those who were i njecting were doing so less often. Measures of both physical and psych ological health showed significant improvements over the first month o f methadone treatment. A trend of reduction in involvement in acquisit ive crime was also found. The finding of such wide-spread benefits so early within methadone treatment is encouraging in view of the recent increased provision of methadone programmes in the UK. However, the ea rly acquisition of such benefits should prompt more rigorous study of the extent to which these changes are associated with the prescribed d rug, the associated programme or the process of treatment engagement.