Mood state of heroin-dependent persons undergoing methadone detoxification

A questionnaire (MSQ) was designed to evaluate subtle changes in subjective states accompanying methadone detoxification. A principal components analysis was applied to questionnaire data obtained from 29 male and female heroin-dependent persons at both moderate (42-22 mg) and low (21-1 mg) doses of methadone administration. Six factors were identified-a "schizophrenic" factor; general well-being; a mental outlook factor; a neurotic factor; a bipolar extroversion-introversion factor; a bipolar excitation versus euphoria-depression factor. A shift to a more negative mental attitude, and an increase in extroversion and excitability, was found with decrease in methadone dose.