The present study investigates whether a correlation exists between mental
symptoms and opiate dependency. During a 5-year follow-up study in Hamburg,
of 350 opiate addicts who were in contact with the help system at the time
of the initial investigation, 219 (63%) could be interviewed three times a
t 1-year intervals. The investigation instruments were standardized questio
nnaires such as EuropASI, CIDI,SCL-90-R and BDI. The general life situation
of the investigated persons had, on the whole, improved in the course of t
he last 2-3 years. Drug consumption had markedly decreased. One third of th
e opiate addicts were in a comparatively good mental condition on all three
survey interviews, for 17% there was a worsening of the condition, and for
an other 17% the negative mental condition was reinforced. A correlation c
an be established between mental disorders/symptoms and drug addiction or d
rug-related problems. The more unfavorable the course of the mental symptom
s, the greater the problems of the client's current life situation. There i
s also an overall relationship between increased drug consumption and menta
l symptoms like depressivity and anxiety, and the psychosocial functioning
level. However, the expected correlations between mental disorders and the
extent of drug consumption are not very marked. This indicates that specifi
c constellations of drug consumption and mental disorders are not isolated
but are related, as elements of a complex behavioral pat tern, to the devel
opment of other life areas of the client.