[A French experience with methadone]

Methadone chlorhydrate has been administred to opiate addicts either for a short period with a decreasing dosage as a withdrawal cure, or for longterm treatments as a basis of a maintenance program. The analysis of precise clinical criteria regarding the socio-professional states, the family-life, the general health and the psychopathological diagnosis, allows an evaluation of the success of the cure and of its elective indications. The study of the personnality of the drug-addicts shows the importance of this factor in the potential success of a methadone cure. Urinary biological controls are regularly performed. This limitations and promises of this treatment discussed form a basis of a year's experience.