Differentiation of long-term methadone patients from their admission cohorts

The background characteristics of 45 heroin addicts who had received methadone continuously for over 4 years were compared with those of 1,228 heroin addicts who had not. The results indicated that the continuers were at admission older, White, not dependent on medical assistance, previously treated, using less heroin, and smoking less marijuana than the noncontinuers.