Lapse, relapse and survival among opiate addicts after treatment. A prospective follow-up study.
This paper presents data from the first British prospective study to investigate relapse among opiate addicts after treatment. Eighty subjects were followed up over the six-month period immediately after discharge from treatment and were interviewed on several occasions. Large numbers of subjects used opiates within a very short time after discharge; 71% used them within the first six weeks. However, this first lapse to opiate use did not herald a full-blown relapse to dependent use. There was a gradual increase in the number of abstinent subjects, with 45% abstinent and living in the community at the six-month point. The practical and theoretical implications may be regarded as broadly encouraging.
Gossop
M
M
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, Kent.
Green
L
L
Phillips
G
G
Bradley
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
D008691:Methadone