Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Fairbank, JA; Dunteman, GH; Condelli, WS
Published in: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
1993

Data were analyzed from the nationwide Treatment Outcome Prospective Study (TOPS) to assess whether current and former methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin. The sample comprised 513 heroin users who were admitted to methadone programs in 10 cities across the United States and followed for at least 1 year. Structured face-to-face interviews were administered at admission and at follow-up to assess use of six substances: cocaine, amphetamines, illegal methadone, tranquilizers, marijuana, and alcohol. The study found a decline in the use of all substances except alcohol. Patients who substantially reduced or eliminated their use of heroin during the follow-up year were more likely to decrease their use of other drugs than were patients who continued to use heroin on a weekly or more frequent basis. These findings suggest that methadone programs indirectly reduce patients' use of cocaine, amphetamines, illegal methadone, tranquilizers, and marijuana, insofar as they are successful in eliminating or decreasing heroin use. Similar reductions in drug use were found among patients who were not enrolled in methadone programs during the follow-up year. These findings do not support the commonly held belief that heroin addicts substitute other drugs for heroin.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse

DOI

ISSN

0095-2990

Publication Date

1993

Volume

19

Issue

4

Start / End Page

465 / 474

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Substance Abuse
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Prospective Studies
  • Methadone
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Fairbank, J. A., Dunteman, G. H., & Condelli, W. S. (1993). Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, 19(4), 465–474. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952999309001635
Fairbank, J. A., G. H. Dunteman, and W. S. Condelli. “Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 19, no. 4 (1993): 465–74. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952999309001635.
Fairbank JA, Dunteman GH, Condelli WS. Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1993;19(4):465–74.
Fairbank, J. A., et al. “Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, vol. 19, no. 4, 1993, pp. 465–74. Pubmed, doi:10.3109/00952999309001635.
Fairbank JA, Dunteman GH, Condelli WS. Do methadone patients substitute other drugs for heroin? Predicting substance use at 1-year follow-up. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1993;19(4):465–474.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse

DOI

ISSN

0095-2990

Publication Date

1993

Volume

19

Issue

4

Start / End Page

465 / 474

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Substance Abuse
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Prospective Studies
  • Methadone
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans