Experiences of a methadone detoxification programme for opium addicts.

The conduction of a new programme of methadone detoxification of opium addicts in a general hospital setting is described. A blind technique of dispensing methadone in a powdered form mixed with powdered aspirin to two groups of opium addicts was used: Group A were given a gradual reduction of the methadone over a period of ten days, while group B were maintained on the initial stabilising dose for the ten days and then abruptly withdrawn from methadone on the eleventh day. It was observed that the number of complaints and abstinence symptoms was markedly reduced in Group B. It is suggested that this technique is a major improvement over the standard progressive reduction method of methadone detoxification. A follow-up of these patients over a period of 1 1/2 years is reported.