Variability in opium dosage: observations from Laos, 1965-75.

Opiate addicts are generally believed to consume a fairly constant level of drug. These data indicate that, for most addicts over time, there is considerable variability in dosage. This variability occurs not only amongst addicts, but also in most individual addicts over time. Extreme constancy in dosage does prevail for some addicts over prolonged periods, but this is not the norm. Factors influencing dosage include age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, duration of addiction, drug cost and drug availability. Distributions in dosage patterns are presented in this report.