Which substitution pharmacotherapy is most effective in treating opioid dependence?

Question Are levo acetyl methadol (LAAM) and buprenorphine as effective as methadone for substitution treatment of opioid dependence? Participants: 220 people categorised as opioid dependent by DSM-IV; 1 groups similar on demographics and drug use history. Exclusion criteria were medical and psychiatric illness requiring long-term medication, and pregnancy. Interventions: (i) Levo acetyl methadol (LAAM) at 75–115 mg, (ii) buprenorphine at 16–32 mg, (iii) methadone at 60–100 mg (" high dose "), or (iv) methadone at 20 mg (" low dose "). LAAM and buprenorphine were given three times a week, methadone daily. LAAM and methadone were given orally, buprenorphine sublin-gually. Participants attended the clinic daily for two weeks of dose induction, then thrice weekly with take-home doses. The scheduled duration of the trial was 17 weeks. Main outcome measures: Retention in treatment; illicit drug use; participants' global ratings of their drug problem.