Mortality among heroin users and users of other internationally regulated drugs: A 27-year follow-up of users in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program household samples.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In contrast to research on more restricted samples of drug users, epidemiological studies open up a view of death rates and survivorship of those who have tried heroin a few times, with no acceleration toward sustained use patterns often seen in treatment and criminal justice samples. At their best, epidemiological estimates of heroin effects on risk of dying are not subject to serious selection biases faced with more restricted samples.

Methods

Data are from 7207 adult participants aged 18-48 years in United States Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program field surveys, launched in 1980-1984. US National Death Index (NDI) records through 2007 disclosed 723 deaths. NDI enabled estimation of heroin-associated risk of dying as well as survivorship.

Results

Estima

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Quintero C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4787597 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature