PATTERN OF DRUG USE IN INDIAN HEROIN ADDICTS

The pattern of drag use was studied in 213 heroin addicts, constituting 80.7% of the patient population attending ABHAY-II Deaddication Cum Rehabilitation Centre. All heroin addicts were male and 98.6% of all had consumed or have been consuming other drugs concurrently. Tobacco, cannabis and alcohol were the drugs commonly used by the addicts. The mean age for begining tobacco consumption was lowest and highest for medicinal drugs like sedatives, hypnotics and tranquillizers. The sequential pattern of drug use was tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, heroin, opium natural and medicines like sedatives, analgesics, hypnotics and tranquillizers. Most of the patients had been regular cannabis and alcohol users. Occassional use of opium or medicines was a result of substitution for heroin in an attempt to control the withdrawal symptoms.