In-patient treatment for drug abuse.

During 1984 there were 253 admissions to the in-patient drug dependence treatment unit at Tooting Bec Hospital. Of the 198 patients responsible for these admissions, 60% were male and 43% were over the age of 30 years. There were 151 patients admitted for opiate detoxification, and 75% completed the withdrawal schedule. However, only 15 out of 25 patients admitted for benzodiazepine withdrawals were found to be physically dependent. Other reasons for admission included stabilisation of the dose of opiate (24%) and the treatment of physical complications of addiction.