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Factors Associated with Relapse Among Opiate Addicts in an Out-patient Detoxification Programme

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Sujata Unnithan ,
Michael Gossop  and
John Strang
Sujata Unnithan
Affiliation:
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, The Bethlem Royal and The Maudsley Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX
Michael Gossop*
Affiliation:
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, The Bethlem Royal and The Maudsley Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX
John Strang
Affiliation:
Drug Dependence Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, The Bethlem Royal and The Maudsley Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Relapse is a central problem in the treatment of addictive behaviour, and a specific problem in the out-patient treatment of the opiate withdrawal syndrome. This study investigated factors associated with relapse among 42 opiate addicts receiving out-patient detoxification treatment at a London drug-dependence clinic. All subjects completed a questionnaire about their social, psychological, and environmental circumstances in the week before interview, and were interviewed within the first two weeks of the programme. Forty per cent had lapsed to illicit heroin abuse within the previous week. Interpersonal factors and drug-related cues were associated with lapse to opiate use. Most subjects encountered a range of high-risk situations, such as regularly meeting other drug users and being offered drugs, and persistent negative mood states.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 161 , Issue 5 , November 1992 , pp. 654 - 657
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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