In recent years, there has been an increase in drug misuse and an unprecede
nted expansion in substitute prescribing, particularly of methadone. Howeve
r, substitute prescribing is a controversial practice, requiring ongoing mo
nitoring and evaluation. This paper focuses on one largely unresearched asp
ect of the prescribing process: drug misusers' self-reported reasons for, a
nd expectations of, obtaining a prescription. Semi-structured qualitative i
nterviews were conducted with 124 illicit drug users in rural, urban and in
ner city areas of Scotland and the respondents' comments were analysed indu
ctively using the software package, Winmax, The study found that drug users
' reasons and expectations for obtaining substitute drugs were many and var
ied, but also susceptible to change over time. Nevertheless, many responden
ts expected to be taking substitute drugs for a significant period, anticip
ating and desiring sustained maintenance prescribing rather than rapid redu
ction. Additionally, the interviewees' responses were frequently reactive r
ather than proactive and this reflected the many negative and constraining
factors influencing their lives. It is argued that drug misusers can have a
high level of insight into their personal circumstances and aspirations an
d that their views and experiences are an important resource in the substit
ute prescribing process. The implications of these conclusions for social w
ork practice are then considered.