Research article summary (published 26 Feb 2004):

[Current consumer conditions among opioid addicts--implications for maintenance-treatment programmes provided by ambulatory drug treatment centers and physicians]

(Aktuelle Konsumformen bei Drogenabhängigkeit--Implikationen für Substitutionsprogramme in ambulanten Einrichtungen und bei behandelnden Arzten.)

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anonymous evaluation of the current conditions of drug scene and drug consumption, entrance age, personal motives for drug consumption and satisfaction among opioid-dependent clients with treatments available within an ambulant maintenance treatment setting. METHODS: The questionnaire for the study was based on representative studies and covered 112 questions regarding drug consumption. In addition, an instrument of the "Hessische Landesstelle gegen die Suchtgefahren", which measures satisfaction of opioid clients regarding public drug-treatment centers, was used. RESULTS: A total of 158 opioid clients within an ambulant maintenance treatment setting were enrolled in the study. The mean age at first drug consumption was 15.1 (2.4) years for men and 15.2 (3.5) years for women. The Spearman correlation showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.284) between age and time of first drug consumption (p=0.019). Cannabis was the most frequent entrance drug (55.8%), followed by alcohol (33.8%), opioids (17.6%) and nicotine (11.8%). Additional consumption of benzodiazepines was observed in 44.7% of men and 39.7% of women, of cannabis in 74.5% of men and 52.4% of women, and of sustained-release morphine in 41.4% of men and 33.3% of women. Within the previous 6-12 months cocaine was consumed significantly less (p=0.024) by men (63.8%) than by women (90.5%). 93.3% of the drug users rated a follow-up assistance programme after withdrawal and 71.9% special care programmes for designer drugs very important. IMPLICATIONS: The present study supports the assumption of an earlier age of first drug consumption. In view of our findings on entrance age, and on polytoxicomanic consumption patterns and gender-specific differences, we believe that the objectives of substitution programmes can only be reached if programmes are adequately adapted to the actual conditions of the drug scene and are able to cooperate with other public drug-treatment systems.

Author information

Author/s: Giacomuzzi, Salvatore M (SM); Ertl, Markus (M); Riemer, Yvonne (Y); Rössler, Haimo (H); Vigl, Alexander (A); Hinterhuber, Hartmann (H); Kurz, Markus (M);

Affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Innsbruck, Osterreich. salvatore.giacomuzzi(-atsign-)uibk.ac.at

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift (Wien Klin Wochenschr), published in Austria. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2004-Feb; vol 116 (issue 4) : pp 119-27

Dates: Created 2004/03/24; Completed 2004/09/17; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 15038402, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2004 Feb 28;116(4):110-1. (PMID: 15038400)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Aftercare Age Factors Alcoholism - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Ambulatory Care Benzodiazepines Cocaine-Related Disorders - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Comorbidity Delayed-Action Preparations Designer Drugs Female Health Surveys Heroin Dependence - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation

Heroin Dependence - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Humans Long-Term Care Male Marijuana Abuse - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Morphine Dependence - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Narcotics - administration & dosage Opioid-Related Disorders - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation Patient Care Team Patient Satisfaction Sex Factors Street Drugs Substance Abuse Treatment Centers Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; psychology; rehabilitation

Associated Chemicals: Delayed-Action Preparations (0) ; Designer Drugs (0) ; Narcotics (0) ; Street Drugs (0) ; Benzodiazepines (12794-10-4)

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