A series of followup investigations exploring the impact of methadone maintenance treatment, methadone detoxification treatment, therapeutic communities, and outpatient drug-free treatment for the drug abuser was conducted. Limitations of these modalities were revealed in the followup studies. Implications for treatment and policy include: (1) methadone detoxofication as a short-term program is a relatively ineffective treatment technique, but the longer a client remains in treatment, the more likely it is there will be a positive outcome; (2) procedures of intake should make the alternatives available to clients clear to them at time of entry; and (3) aggressive client followup which makes continuing care available to the client at time of exit from the program helps to ensure the client's successful integration into the community. (Author)