Twelve-month outcomes for heroin dependence treatments: does route of administration matter?
A sample of 442 heroin users (394 injecting heroin users: IHU, 48 non-injecting heroin users: NIHU) recruited for the Australian Treatment Outcome Study were reinterviewed at 12 months after entrance to treatment for heroin dependence. Route of administration was stable over the follow-up period with 4% of NIHU having made a transition to heroin injecting, and 0.3% of IHU having made a transition to non-injecting. Given the clinical profile of NIHU presented in the literature, it might be expected that they would exhibit better treatment retention and 12-month outcomes than IHU. At 12 months, however, there were no differences between NIHU and IHU in heroin use, heroin dependence symptoms, polydrug use, criminality, current self-reported physical health or psychopathology. The only group differences at 12 months were that NIHU were more likely to be employed and had fewer injection-related problems. It is concluded that, among those presenting for treatment, route of administration is not an indicator of likely outcome.
Darke
Shane
S
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia. s.darke@unsw.edu.au
Ross
Joanne
J
Teesson
Maree
M
D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012917:Social Adjustment; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003932:Heroin