This report examines the success of 105 patients who were admitted to Cuan Dara in the first year of its opening. Success rates were examined by looking at the proportion of patients completing methadone detoxification, the proportion completing the full six-week inpatient programme and the proportion of patients remaining drug free after discharge. Of those admitted, 88% were unemployed, with an average age of commencing illicit drug use of 15 years. Twenty-nine percent left hospital prior to detox completion and six were dismissed for serious breach of rule. Forty one percent completed the full programme. In a follow-up survey, no data was available for 29% of those admitted. For those that could be contacted, 49% had relapsed, 26% were drug free and 25% were back on methadone. All patients who left hospital prior to detox completion had relapsed, and heroin smokers were more likely to be drug free at follow-up.