Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:955-957
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Therapeutic effects of methadone and 1-alpha-acetylmethadol
E Karp-Gelernter, L Wurmser and C Savage
Many heroin addicts prefer methadone maintenance treatment to 1-alpha-
acetylmethadol(LAAM) because of the "rush-like" effect of methadone.
Although there have been no observable differences in the safety and
effectiveness of the two drugs, LAAM appears to lead to a more stable,
consistent physiological state. The authors report on two patients who had
ego defects characterized by severe mood swings. Both patients preferred
LAAM to methadone because of its stabilizing effect and smoother action.
