Catamnestic study of 76 cases of heroin addiction among young adults (5 to 12 year follow-up)

A group of 76 narcotic addicts (53 male, 23 female) first admitted to the "Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire", Lausanne, between January 1970 and December 1977 were followed up 5 to 12 years later. The average age of first admission was 21,82; the average age of narcotic addition, 19. Over the period, 5.3% died - half directly from their addiction, half by suicide. In 1982 the status of 14,5% was uncertain. Only 13,2% were still known to be using drugs whereas 21% were under treatment (methadone maintenance program: 17,1%) and 2,6% in prison. Thirty-three subjects (43,4%) have achieved stable abstinence, i.e. haven't been using any opioid drug for 5 months before follow-up. Findings on employment and marital status indicated a satisfactory social adjustment for a majority of subjects. Language: fr