Biographical data of patients in drug substitution programmes.

BACKGROUND

We investigated drug substitution patients' biographical data for counselling, to recognize social and other risk factors and additionally consumed drugs.

METHODS

We decided on a retrospective, descriptive investigation in one practice. A preformed pattern of questions was applied to the charts of drug-substituted patients.

RESULTS

We found data on 332 men and 114 women. Statistical connections were counted by SPSS 11.5 and Chi-square-tests. Two-thirds had completed compulsory school, one third had some kind of vocational training, and current occupation was frequently different to training. 72% of the patients claimed to have "a supportive family relationship with their families". 25% were in touch with their children. Drug abuse started early, below the age of 14 for nearly 25% of our group.179 patients had withdrawal treatment.138 patients (31%) confirmed hepatitis C infection, 23 out of 441 had tested HIV positive (5.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Inconstant relationships to family, education and profession combine to early drug use.