[Evaluation of health status in participants from a methadone treatment program in Krakow after one year of maintenance treatment]

Methadone treatment programme for 50 opiate addicts has been conducted at the Department of Clinical Toxicology for a one year. The aim of the study was to evaluate the health state including psychological condition and also a social status of the opiate dependent patients after one year methadone maintenance medication. Also, considering the results of clinical examination, a trial of elaboration of system for dependence scoring was undertaken. An improvement of general health state of addicts was observed. No new cases of HIV positive patients were noted. An increase in number of addicts who start professional activity, and those who live in procreative families and even in formally confirmed marriage. A three pregnant women, and five who already gave birth to a child (one of them is completely drug free at present) were noted. A significant behavioural changes, reduced level of criminal activity and restored personal relationships with family were observed. A moderate psychopathological symptoms are still observed in patients with double diagnosis.