Prevalence, severity and correlates of psychological morbidity among methadone maintenance clients

Abstract

A sample of 222 methadone maintenance clients was tested for levels of depression, anxiety, and anti-social personality disorder. The prevalence of each type of psychopathology was high. There were large proportions of subjects exhibiting extremely severe depression, anxiety and a majority were classified as "psychiatric cases". Depression and anxiety were strongly related, but anti-social behaviour was unrelated to personal distress. Personal distress levels were predicted by benzodiazepine use, poorer social functioning and poorer health. Anti-social personality disorder was predicted by younger age, being male, poorer social functioning, and current criminality.