A prospective clinical audit of methadone maintenance therapy at the Royal Newcastle Hospital.

In a prospective study of 63 admissions to a methadone maintenance programme in a public hospital, 13 admissions were for less than two weeks. Of the remaining 50 such admissions, 35 admissions were terminated because of absenteeism, drug abuse, violence or drug-dealing. Twelve patients did not take intravenously administered drugs during the time that they were receiving methadone, but in 25 of the 50 admissions that lasted for more than two weeks, such drugs were abused at least fortnightly. Eight patients achieved a stable state without drugs that lasted at least three months. No improvements were note in patients' social situations, relationships, health or criminal activity, but compliant patients did improve their employment status. A significant minority of patients has benefited from methadone maintenance therapy, but most patients have continued their drug abuse and drug-related life-styles.