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.