Newly admitted patients from two comprehensive drug abuse programs in the Baltimore area were queried concerning frequency of illicit methadone use and availability of illicit methadone for a 3-month period prior to their admission. The results showed that a significant percentage of applicants had used illicit methadone prior to seeking treatment, and that for the most part they were using "program methadone" presumably diverted from take-home medication from patients active in treatment programs in the Maryland area. The clinical and rehabilitative aspects of take-home medication are carefully assessed in relation to these somewhat disturbing findings.