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In this paper psychopathology of opiate addicts inside and outside treatment is described. Subjects were sampled in a low-threshold methadone programme (n = 93), two in-patient settings (n = 167) and outside treatment (n = 82). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used for the assessment of psychopathology. Results, in terms of DSM-III-R prevalence, are presented for the total group of respondents and for the three subgroups. After adjustment for differences in demographic characteristics it appeared that more subjects applying for in-patient treatment reported at least one psychiatric disorder compared with the two other groups. The subjects applying for the methadone programme reported least psychopathology. The results are discussed.

This article describes profiles of heroin addicts in three types of treatment (methadone, detox and therapeutic community) and those not in treatment in the local community. The profiles are based on data at item-level of the revised Addiction Severity Index. In total, 310 heroin addicts were interviewed. The results show that on the one hand the community group and the methadone group are roughly comparable, and on the other hand the detox and therapeutic community groups have similar characteristics. The latter groups report significantly more psychological and social problems. The community group mentions the fewest problems with drug use and more illegal activities in the past month. The results indicate that large differences exist between the groups in psychosocial problems. Furthermore, they indicate that the methadone group has no specific pattern of problems. Two important groups outside treatment are identified with respect to matching: addicts under 25 years old and addicts with a non-Dutch cultural background.

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