Objective is to inform professionals about Methadone Maintenance Program (MMP) for patients with opioid dependence at the Centre for Treatment for Drug Dependencies in Bratislava after ten years. Methods: It was clinical, descriptive study. Sample consisted of 1,008 patients, who were treated in MMP from 1997 to 2006, proportion of males was 70.9 % and females 29.1 %. Average age was 26.4 years (SD ± 6.1; 16-55). On December 31st 2006, there were 364 patients in the MMP, 66 % males and 34 % females, with average age 30.3 years (SD ± 6.4; 18-55). Results: While 12-month retention rate in MMP was 50 % from July 2001 till December 2006, which was in contrast with 81 % until June 2001; quarterly caseload has increased after temporary decline to 420 patients at the end of 2006. Proportion of positive urinalyses was 12 % at random testing in treatment arm in the second half of the program. Average score of depression in BDI-II decreased from 23.9 (SD ± 11.7) to 14.4 points (SD ± 11.0) one year after the MMP entry. At the end of 2006 average dose of methadone was 74.9 mg (SD ± 45.6; 2.5-295); patients ratio in treatment versus harm reduction arm was 4:1; patients program satisfaction according to CSQ-8 was 25.6 points (SD ± 3.7). At the end of 2006, out of tested in cross-sectional screening 71 % had anti-HCV antibodies against hepatitis C, 6 % anti-HBc antibodies – marker of hepatitis B infection, nobody was diagnosed as anti-HIV positive, but only three were during the whole period of MMP. Conclusions: After decline of retention rate, its stabilization and increase of the patients caseload was detected in MMP, continuation of remarkable reduction of the consumption of opiates, significant decrease in the signs of depression, high ratio of anti-HCV antibodies, no anti-HIV reactivity and increase of the patients satisfaction with the program was noted.

Key words: methadone maintenance treatment – substitution treatment – methadone – retention