A total of 547 patients with a first episode of psychosis were randomised to two years of intensive early intervention programme (OPUS) versus standard treatment. OPUS treatment consisted of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) with manuals for family involvement and social skills training. Standard treatment comprised contact with a community mental health centre. OPUS treatment improved the clinical outcome after two years of treatment, but the effects were not sustainable up to five years after. The secondary outcome measures showed a difference on supported housing and use of bed-days at the five-year follow-up in favour of OPUS treatment.