A Medical Treatment for Diacetylmorphine (Heroin) Addiction

TLDR

The treatment uses oral methadone hydrochloride to relieve narcotic craving and induce tolerance that blocks heroin’s euphoric effect, and it requires careful medical supervision and extensive social services. In a cohort of 22 heroin‑addicted patients, methadone stabilization combined with a comprehensive rehabilitation program led to marked improvements—return to school, employment, family reconciliation—without toxicity aside from constipation, indicating the medication and program are essential.

Abstract

A group of 22 patients, previously addicted to diacetylmorphine (heroin), have been stabilized with oral methadone hydrochloride. This medication appears to have two useful effects: (1) relief of narcotic hunger, and (2) induction of sufficient tolerance to block the euphoric effect of an average illegal dose of diacetylmorphine. With this medication, and a comprehensive program of rehabilitation, patients have shown marked improvement; they have returned to school, obtained jobs, and have become reconciled with their families. Medical and psychometric tests have disclosed no signs of toxicity, apart from constipation. This treatment requires careful medical supervision and many social services. In our opinion, both the medication and the supporting program are essential.