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Psychosocial factors in older heroin-dependent patients in treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2011

Harvinder Sidhu ,
Peter Crome  and
Ilana B Crome
Harvinder Sidhu
Affiliation:
Keele University Medical School, Keele, Staffordshire, UK
Peter Crome
Affiliation:
Keele University Medical School, Keele, Staffordshire, UK
Ilana B Crome*
Affiliation:
Keele University Medical School, Keele, Staffordshire, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Professor Ilana Crome, Academic Psychiatry Unit, Keele University Medical School, St George's Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford ST16 3SR, UK. Email: pca03@keele.ac.uk
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Summary

The psychosocial characteristics of older heroin-dependent patients (defined as 45 years and over) attending a specialist addiction clinic in Stoke on Trent, UK were studied using retrospective record analysis of the case notes of the 20 oldest heroin-dependent patients. This study draws attention to the multiple psychosocial problems facing ageing heroin addicts. On average, patients were 48 years old, had first been exposed to heroin at age 29, 85% were injectors and the majority were polydrug users. In 20% a major life event had preceded first use of heroin. Nineteen were male, 17 were single, only 10% were employed, while just 10% did not have a criminal history. Depression, self-harm and memory disturbance were frequently reported. Retention in treatment was a feature, with consequent improvements including reduction in criminality and injecting behaviour. However, there is little specific guidance on treatment, training or policy for this group in the UK.

Keywords

heroin dependencyopiate dependencyolder people
Type
Psychological and social gerontology
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 79 - 83
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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