According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, levomethadyl acetate (LAAM), buprenorphine, and high doses of methadone (60-100 mg.) were much more effective for treating heroin addiction than low-dose methadone maintenance (defined as a 20 mg. dose).

"There are nearly one million chronic users of heroin in the United States, and this study is important because it helps to identify the most effective treatments for this devastating addiction," said Dr. Alan I. Leshner, director of NIDA, which funded the research. "This study also furthers our knowledge about the effectiveness of buprenorphine and, ultimately, it may expand the treatment options available to physicians."

The study involved 200 volunteers between the ages of 21 and 55, who were diagnosed as heroin dependent. Participants taking either LAAM, buprenorphine, or high-dose methadone had significantly better treatment outcomes than those in the low-dose methadone group. All three treatments markedly reduced heroin use.

The study is published in the November 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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