A method is provided for treating a drug-dependent individual so as to effect withdrawal from a drug of abuse, e.g., an opiate such as heroin or oxycodone, a stimulant such as cocaine, or alcohol. The method involves substitution therapy wherein a substantially nonaddicting normorphine or norcodeine derivative is substituted for the drug of abuse. The active agent has the structure of formula (I) wherein: R is H, alkyl, or acyl; X is CH(OR′) or C═O, wherein R′ is H or acyl; α is an optional double bond, with the proviso that when α is present, then X is necessarily CH(OH), or an acid addition salt thereof, wherein preferred such agents are in a stereoisomerically pure form that corresponds to that of N-[(1R)-1-cyclopropylethyl]-normorphine (1) which melts at approximately 188° C.-189° C.