Biographical data of patients in drug substitution programmes.
BACKGROUND
We investigated drug substitution patients' biographical data for counselling, to recognize social and other risk factors and additionally consumed drugs.


METHODS
We decided on a retrospective, descriptive investigation in one practice. A preformed pattern of questions was applied to the charts of drug-substituted patients.


RESULTS
We found data on 332 men and 114 women. Statistical connections were counted by SPSS 11.5 and Chi-square-tests. Two-thirds had completed compulsory school, one third had some kind of vocational training, and current occupation was frequently different to training. 72% of the patients claimed to have "a supportive family relationship with their families". 25% were in touch with their children. Drug abuse started early, below the age of 14 for nearly 25% of our group.179 patients had withdrawal treatment.138 patients (31%) confirmed hepatitis C infection, 23 out of 441 had tested HIV positive (5.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Inconstant relationships to family, education and profession combine to early drug use.
Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. hans.toenies@meduniwien.ac.at
Hans
H
Tönies
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001317:Austria; D002648:Child; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs