COMORBIDITY OF OPIATE DEPENDENCE AND MENTAL-DISORDERS

In a 5-year-follow-up study of 350 opiate addicts in contact with a dr ug help system in Hamburg, 272 clients (78%) were interviewed a second time after 1 year. The objective of the study was to examine the corr elation between mental disorders and drug consumption and its relation ship to clients' general life situation. In the majority of the opiate addicts, a pattern of polydrug consumption was observed, but the amou nt of drugs consumed was clearly lower after 1 year. In the initial su rvey, a mental disorder according to ICD-10 could be diagnosed for 55% of the sample. Among groups formed by the severity and course of ment al disorders or their symptoms, a significant correlation was observed , particularly at the time of follow-up, between the extent of drug co nsumption and the course of the mental disorder. Other areas, like phy sical health or social problems/conflicts, were also related to comorb idity (i.e., heavy drug consumption and/or mental disorder). These int errelationships should be taken into account in treatment, care and gu idance to increase the prospects for successful treatment. (C) 1998 El sevier Science Ltd.