The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on July 21, 2005
The European Journal of Public Health 2005 15(6):580-586; doi:10.1093/eurpub/cki031
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Alcohol and Drugs |
Recreational drug consumers: who seeks treatment?
R. Siliquini1,2, A. Morra1, E. Versino1 and G. Renga1
1 Department of Public Health, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
2 Regional Observatory on Addiction, Regione Piemonte, Italy
Correspondence: Roberta Siliquini, Associate Professor of Public Health, Department of Public Health, University of Torino, Via Santena 5/bis 10126 Torino, Italy, tel: +39 011 6706552, fax: +39 011 6706551, e-mail: roberta.siliquini{at}unito.it
Background: Recreational drug consumption represents a complex issue, because of the lack of a shared definition, settings and patterns of consumptions, and poorness of evidence-based treatments. In spite of the great number of users, just few seek specific treatment, probably representing those at major risk of continuing and problematic use. The general objective of this study was to report the characteristics and main consumption patterns of recreational drug consumers treated in Regione Piemonte (Italy), in order to formulate hypotheses suitable for further research aimed at establishing more effective preventive intervention and treatment. Methods: All addiction treatment services in the region were required to fill in, for each user, a questionnaire reporting: contact of the user with the service, socio-demoghaphic data, drugs consumption and interventions/treatments. Results: Among 441 users, 70.3% were new users, 85.5% were males and the average age of consumption onset was 22 years. Psychiatric and traumatics events were present in 13.3% and in 17.9% of cases, respectively. The most frequent primary substances were cocaine (76.9%) and ecstasy (13.8%). Substances taken in association with primary drug are quoted in 75% of cases. Conclusions: The users that get in touch with services are those showing greater problems, representing, therefore, the main target for preventive public health interventions. Some interesting points can be noted: among patients treated, cocaine represents the main issue; females seem to be more sensitive to recreational drug effects; social class (education), settings and use habits are similar for recreational drugs users and heroin users.
Keywords: pattern of consumption, recreational drug consumers, treatment