The validity of self-reported heroin use.
During a 2-year follow-up interview, 272 male veteran heroin addicts reported their recent heroin use and provided a urine sample. Eighty-four percent of those reporting no heroin use in the 3 months preceding the interview, and 78% of those declaring no use in the previous week had urines found negative for opiates. The subjective impressions of the interviewers were useful in predicting the veracity of the self-reports. Subjects who had been in longer-term treatment, especially therapeutic communities, were more likely to report heroin use truthfully.
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D003932:Heroin / Q000652:urine; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013808:Therapeutic Community; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology
D003932:Heroin