NCJ Number
48408
Journal
British Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 124 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 28-33
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SIXTY-SIX FEMALE NARCOTICS ADDICTS WERE STUDIES TO DETERMINE IF A RELATIONSHIP EXISTED BETWEEN THE OUTCOME OF THEIR ORIGINAL TREATMENT IN HOSPITALS AND THEIR SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Abstract
THE SAMPLE OF WOMEN ALL HAD BEEN ADDICTED TO HEROIN AND ADMITTED TO HOLLOWAY PRISON, ENGLAND, FROM JANUARY 1967 TO JUNE 1968. IN 1972, DATA WERE GATHERED ON THE PATIENTS' ADDICTION STATUS, ADMISSIONS TO HOSPITALS IN THE INTERVENING TIME, AND THE CAUSES OF ANY DEATHS THAT HAD OCCURED. DURING THE 4-YEAR FOLLOWUP STUDY, CRIMINAL RECORDS PROVIDED MUCH OF THE DATA, AS WELL AS PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. THESE RECORDS SHOW THAT ONLY 51 PERCENT OF THE PATIENTS WERE STILL AT RISK OF ADDICTION. THIS FIGURE CAN BE FURTHER BROKEN DOWN: 41 PERCENT OF THE WOMEN WERE STILL ADDICTED, 47 PERCENT WERE NARCOTIC FREE, AND THE STATUS OF 12 PERCENT WAS INDETERMINANT. DRUG ABUSE CAUSED 9 OF THE 10 DEATHS. THE DATA REVEALED THAT 33 PATIENTS WERE CONVICTED OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES, AND 30 REMAINED DRUG-DEPENDENT. THE SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF THOSE PATIENTS WHO WERE ADDICTED AND STILL COMMITTING CRIMES WAS THE WORST, WHILE IT WAS BEST FOR THOSE WHO WERE DRUG-FREE AND FAILED TO COMMIT ANY OFFENSES. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)