Citation

Puschel K, Schulz-Schaeffer W, Castrup U, Teschke F, Heckmann W. Sucht 1994; 40(6): 384-393.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Based on social-scientific material and forensic-pathological investigations about the drug abuse-related fatalities in Hamburg during the period from July 1991 until June 1992, the addicts were subdivided into three groups. Each group represents a different onsumption pattern among drug addicts: the opiate type, polyvalent-drug users and primary alcoholics. With respect to these three types of addiction some medical (concentration of alcohol and opiates in the blood) and social-scientific data (age at the beginning of the drug career, consumption of different drugs, distribution of age and sex, the quality and frequency of the contact to facilities of the drug aid) are discussed. - The highest risk for drug addicts is the accidental (opiate) overdose. Different qualities of heroin, the reduced tolerance of the body and carelessness in consuming drugs were evaluated as causes of the fatal intoxication. These determinants are influenced by several indirect phenomena, as for example psycho-social, therapeutic, criminalizing and economic problems. Furthermore we have often observed a dynamic series of crises and/or a latent inclination to suicide.

Language: de

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; accident; alcoholism; drug abuse; drug overdose; article; major clinical study; criminal behavior; opiate; economic aspect; fatality; diamorphine; psychosocial environment; drug quality