Heroin use in adolescents and young adults admitted for drug detoxification

Purpose: To examine heroin use and associated morbidity in young adults und ergoing drug detoxification. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all p et-sons (ages 18-25) admitted to either of the two state-funded detoxificat ion facilities in Rhode Island was conducted between June 1998 and June 199 9. Only those reporting heroin as a primary drug were included in this stud y (N = 201). Results: Clients were largely male (64%), and white (79%), wit h a mean age of 22. Of those that reported heroin as their primary drug, 62 % used primarily by injection. Mean age of initiation for heroin use was 18 .3 years. Twenty-two percent reported a psychiatric diagnosis, and 80% repo rted a substance-abusing family member. Injection, previous overdose, and a mother with a history of substance use were associated with early initiati on of heroin use. Conclusions: The majority of young adults with heroin add iction undergoing detoxification began using heroin during late adolescence . Cooccurrence of psychiatric and medical diagnoses with heroin addiction w as common, and may contribute to the severity of drug use. Efforts to ident ify risk factors for heroin and other injection drug use in adolescents and young adults will be critical for the design of effective interventions to prevent injection drug use and its associated morbidities. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.