Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2004
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyTreatment needs associated with pain in substance use disorder patients: implications for concurrent treatment.
Although pain problems are prevalent in substance use disorder (SUD) patients, the special treatment needs of SUD patients with pain have not been investigated. This study examines the problems and behaviors associated with reported pain among veterans treated at eight opioid substitution treatment clinics. Patients reporting pain had more severe medical and psychiatric problems and greater health care utilization. ⋯ Patients without pain rarely abused sedatives or opioid medication, indicating that misuse of these substances is unique to co-morbid pain and SUD patients. Patients reporting pain did not differ from patients without pain in use of heroin, alcohol, cocaine or in injection practices, demonstrating that they are truly SUD patients in need of SUD treatment. Pain complicates the treatment of SUD and should be addressed as an important co-morbidity during treatment.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyAttempted suicide among entrants to three treatment modalities for heroin dependence in the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS): prevalence and risk factors.
To determine the lifetime and recent histories of attempted suicide among entrants to treatment for heroin dependence in three treatment modalities and a non-treatment comparison group; and to ascertain factors associated with a recent history of attempted suicide. ⋯ Recent suicidal behaviour is a major clinical problem for heroin users, and for females and RR entrants in particular. An essential adjunct to treatment for heroin dependence is routine screening for depression and suicidal ideation, with the provision of appropriate treatment where needed.