Levels of intravenous drug misuse among clients prescribed oral dexamphetamine or oral methadone: a comparison.
There has been a considerable increase in the number of intravenous amphetamine misusers during the last decade, and the development of effective treatment strategies for this high-risk group has become critical. The use of substitute prescribing is one option, but reservations have been expressed as to its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing injecting practice and associated risks. This study compares the effect of substitute prescribing on the injecting practices of two groups of intravenous drug misusers: 120 primary opiate misusers, prescribed oral methadone; and 60 primary amphetamine misusers, prescribed dexamphetamine elixir. The levels of intravenous drug misuse at time of discharge for the two groups was similar, with 67% of the opiate misusers and 70% of the amphetamine misusers having stopped injecting.
Charnaud
B
B
Cornwall Community Drugs Team, Trengweath, Redruth, UK.
Griffiths
V
V
D000328:Adult; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013997:Time Factors
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D009294:Narcotics; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D008691:Methadone