Short-Term, Ambulatory Detoxification of Opiate Addicts Using Methadone

Twenty-one young opiate addicts entered an ambulatory, low dose methadone detoxification program which lasted 7 days. Eight (38%) did not successfully complete detoxification. At the end of 6 months only two (9.5%) addicts were found to be free of opiate drugs. Although low dose methadone detoxification can easily be accomplished on a short-term ambulatory basis, the high relapse rate to opiate use indicates that this procedure should only be attempted with selected, motivated individuals.