Heroin addicts in substitution programs

40 heroin addicts of whom 20 were undergoing maintenance therapy with hydrocodone (Dicodid) and another 20 with methadone have been questioned by standardized interview regarding their previous history and present 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 maintenance medication, i.e. if hydrocodone is as appropriate as methadone for maintenance therapy. The inquiry showed a significant reduction of criminality and prostitution. The rate of employment was quite stable. The therapeutic successes, measured by employment, prostitution and criminality did not differ with medication by hydrocodone or methadone. Although the more reliable patients received hydrocodone and the less reliable methadone, they did not differ either in past history or in therapeutic success. We conclude that hydrocodone can be recommended for maintenance therapy of relatively reliable heroin addicts.