Transitions between routes of benzodiazepine administration among heroin users in Sydney.
A sample of 312 heroin users were interviewed regarding their benzodiazepine use. The majority (94%) had used benzodiazepines, 72% in the 6 months prior to interview. Benzodiazepine injecting was common, with 28% of the sample having injected these drugs, 13% in the 6 months preceding interview. Current benzodiazepine injectors showed greater polydrug use, injection-related HIV risk-taking behaviour, criminal involvement, psychological distress and injection-related health problems, as well as poorer general health, and an increased risk of having overdosed, than other users of benzodiazepines. Of those subjects who had injected benzodiazepines, 55% were no longer current benzodiazepine injectors. Concern for general health emerged as the most common reason for having made a transition away from injecting, and for being likely to make such a transition.
Ross
J
J
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Darke
S
S
Hall
W
W
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001315:Australia; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines