Maintenance treatments for opiate dependence in specialized care centers: the OPPIDUM program of the Centers of Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence.

The aim of this study was to analyze information concerning multiple drug a ddiction, illicit behaviors and use of the venous route by maintenance trea tment patients included in the October 1998 survey of the OPPIDUM program. Among 1.462 observations, 71% of the subjects were taking maintenance treat ments (60% high-dose buprenorphine and 40% methadone). High-dose buprenorph ine was taken without medical supervision in 10% of cases, Indicators of ab use were high in this case: multiple drug addiction and intravenous use of buprenorphine (28%). Patients maintained by methadone were older and living in better socio-economic conditions than patients maintained by high-dose buprenorphine. However, in the two groups, the percentage of patients using the intravenous route was the same (15% and 21%). More cocaine was used by the methadone group (16% versus 7%). Thirty-seven percent of the subjects maintained on high-dose buprenorphine were followed by a general practitioner. They appeared to be more unbalance d and in more precarious condition than subjects treated in specialized car e centers but they were not representative of the patients maintained by bu prenorphine, It would be important to determine why these subjects consult a specialized care center.