These modalities are detoxification, methadone maintenance, drug-free outpatient centers, and drug-free residential therapeutic communities. Each approach is reasonably effective, depending on its main goals. Other treatment approaches include short-term psychotherapy, family approaches, and relapse prevention. Their effectiveness has yet to be firmly documented. Recent years have seen an increase in the number and variety of treatment approaches for opiate and polydrug/cocaine abusers. Their effectiveness has not been adequately documented, although findings indicate that pharmacotherapy and self-help groups are important adjuncts to primary treatment approaches, especially for cocaine abuse. Current and emerging treatment issues include relapse, retreatment, retention in treatment, the handling of special populations such as prison inmates, the matching of treatment and clients, and Federal policies on accessibility and compulsory treatment. Figures and 56 reference notes