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. 1992 May 2;304(6835):1158-60.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.304.6835.1158.

Problem drug use in a central London general practice

J Cohen  1 , A Schamroth, I Nazareth, M Johnson, S Graham, D Thomson
Affiliations

Problem drug use in a central London general practice

J Cohen et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Objective: To describe the profile of problem drug users presenting in general practice and to determine whether they can be cared for in general practice.

Design: Study of consultations by problem drug users.

Setting: Central London general practice.

Subjects: 150 problem drug users presenting over two years.

Main outcome measures: Stopping drug use, alterations in lifestyle, obtaining paid work, and stopping drug related crime.

Results: Of the 150 patients, 111 were men and 39 women, and 106 were unemployed. 121 patients used heroin, 112 of whom injected. 145 patients accepted a methadone reduction programme and 81 completed it. A further 25 were stabilised on reducing doses of methadone, until places became available for them as inpatients at drug dependency units or rehabilitation projects.

Conclusion: Withdrawal programmes for patients who misuse drugs can be successfully managed in general practice.

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Comment in

  • Managing drug misuse in general practice.
    Rozewicz L, Caan W, Johns A. Rozewicz L, et al. BMJ. 1992 May 30;304(6839):1442. doi: 10.1136/bmj.304.6839.1442. BMJ. 1992. PMID: 1628031 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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