Heroin users' experiences of depression: a qualitative study

Heroin users represent a challenging group of patients for GPs, with a high morbidity including a high prevalence of depression. Compared to other groups, management of 'depression' in heroin users is likely to require different approaches. Aim. To examine heroin users' beliefs about connections between depressive symptoms and drug taking.

Qualitative.

Primary care.

A total of 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients receiving opioid substitution therapy and antidepressants. One focus group of service users was also interviewed.

A wide range of thoughts and emotions were described as 'depression'. Adverse childhood events were viewed as both the cause of depression and as simultaneously placing the individual in social circles where drug use was common. Drug taking was thought to lead to depression through resultant adverse social consequences, though illicit drug use was also regarded as an understandable way to cope with depression. Examples of stigma from taking drugs were commonly described and thought a cause of depression; in contrast, stigmatizing effects of depression were not apparent. The participants often felt isolated. Beliefs about how antidepressants worked incorporated ideas about blocking out thoughts, stopping thoughts racing and keeping emotions level. Self-management techniques for treating depression were rarely described.

Heroin users' experiences of depression-including ideas about causation, how symptoms are felt and experienced and treatment strategies-are overwhelmingly framed by the context of drug taking.