Impact of self-reported life events on the profile of opioid dependence syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of life events on the profile of opioid dependent patients.


METHODS
Recruitment was achieved through outpatient drug treatment clinic in Birmingham, UK, and data were collected through semistructured interviews. One-hundred and twenty subjects with opioid dependence syndrome were interviewed, and 100 controls of non-drug-using family members and friends.


RESULTS
The mean age of the opioid group was 33.3 years, SD = 8.8. The majority individuals of the sample were White British (80.8%), unemployed (69.2%), and male (75%). The mean severity of dependence as measured by two scales indicated severe level of dependence according to the authors of each scale. The mean number of traumatic events for the opioid dependence group was 4.8, SD = 3.57 vs. 3.55; SD = 3.65 in control group with significant difference (t = 2.56, df = 218, p = .01). Significant predictors of severe opioid dependency were age of second exposure to events, change of residence, break-up with boy/girlfriend, and conflict with father.


CONCLUSIONS
The data presented indicate that a significant group of opioid dependent patients experience adverse life events in both childhood and adulthood. It is by attending to and addressing these issues that health care workers can alleviate ongoing distress and promote confidence.
Faculty of Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE. hamdy.fouad@fmhs.uaeu.ac.ae
Hamdy F
HF
Moselhy
Ehsan
E
Fahmy
Victor Samy
VS
Mikhael
Hussein
H
El-Sheikh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D054541:Family Conflict; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology