Changes in mortality, arrests, and hospitalizations in nonvoluntarily treated heroin addicts in relation to methadone treatment.
This study analyzes the mortality, hospitalizations, and arrests in a cohort of severe intravenous heroin users divided into three groups: those in methadone treatment, those discharged from treatment, and those who never received treatment. The study population consists of 101 heroin users, of whom 56 were HIV-seropositive. Because of intensive drug misuse, they underwent coercive residential treatment in Stockholm during the 3-year period 1986-1988. The mortality was lower in the methadone group, and all seven deaths were related to HIV-infection. Outside the program, 24 of 29 persons died from external violence and poisoning.
Fugelstad
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A
Center for Dependency Disorders of St. Göran's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Agren
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G
Romelsjö
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A
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000401:mortality*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone