title: Clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients at a rehabilitation center for chemical dependency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identify the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of a sample of chemically dependent people undergoing treatment at a daytime ambulatory care center specialized in treating chemical dependency in Lima, Peru, and describe their dropout rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory study based on secondary data. The instrument used was the individual notification record from the information system for the treatment demand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The demand was composed mostly of young, single men who were unemployed or underemployed. The most common diagnosis was dependency on cocaine-based drugs and the age of the onset of use was between 15 and 19 years. The dropout rate was 85%, and 48% remained in treatment for only one day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results highlight important factors to be considered in the evaluation of public policies on prevention, treatment, and supply control. We recommend more inclusive and participatory public policies.
authors.affiliation: Observatorio Peruano de Drogas, Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo y Vida sin Drogas - DEVIDA, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: José Eduardo Cruz
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Programa de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e Ciências Humanas, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Loraine Vivian
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Gaino
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Programa de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e Ciências Humanas, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Jacqueline de
authors.initials: Jd
authors.lastname: Souza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult