DEXTROPROPOXYPHENE ADDICTION - A DRUG OF PRIMARY ABUSE

In order to establish a profile of the abuser of dextropropoxyphene (D PX) in our community, we reviewed all the records from the Detoxificat ion Unit in the Mental Health Institute in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. A total of 209 records were reviewed, and 73 were included in our study. Those included had a diagnosis of DPX dependence according to DSM-III-R and no associated psychiatric pathology. Most of them wer e single, unemployed males, with a history of at least 4 years of cont inuous DPX abuse. They were consuming an average dose per day 3.5 time s higher than the maximum therapeutic dose recommended. The onset of g eneralized seizures associated with the DPX abuse was confirmed in 53 % of the cases. The drug most frequently abused along with DPX was a b enzodiazepine (p < .01), followed by marijuana, heroin, alcohol, stimu lants (cocaine and amphetamines), and inhalants; 17 % of the cases wer e pure DPX abusers. DPX was the first opiate ever abused in 67 % of th e cases, 19 % had abused heroin before DPX, and 14 % started the use o f both at the same time. The difference among these groups (p < .01) s uggests DPX as an opiate of primary abuse and not as secondary to hero in dependence.