[Social histories of female abusers of phenacetin-containing analgesics]

The abuse of analgesics is common in the Swiss population. In a field study social und psychological investigations with 600 women ingesting analgesics and 600 women not taking analgesics are made. In a preliminary interpretation of 80 interviews the women ingesting analgesics differ only in a few points from the control group: 1. In the study group a greater number women has children, however on the average a lower number than the control group 2. The children of the women ingesting analgesics are more often taken care of outside their own home. 3. As an overwhelming event in life the loss of one or both parents was often mentioned. 4. Questions asked with regard to depressive symptoms were similar for both groups.