A comparison of thrice weekly LAAM and daily methadone in employed heroin addicts

Forty-eight employed heroin addicts were maintained on daily doses of methadone for four months and then randomly assigned to continue methadone maintenance or be switched to thrice weekly levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM). LAAM patients had significantly less illicit drug use and longer treatment retention times than those remaining on methadone. They also preferred LAAM to methadone on nine of 15 criteria such as the dosage schedule, feeling 'normal', and reduction of craving for heroin. LAAM may be particularly useful with employed patients owing to the reduced frequency of clinic visits.