Changes in short-term prognosis-a comparison between Swedish amphetamine and opiate abusers

Drug usage patterns among patients admitted to a Swedish clinic specialized in the treatment of drug dependence have undergone significant changes during the last fifteen years. During this period there has been a decline in amphetamine taking and a rise in opiate abuse. Yearly cohorts of drug abusers were subjected to a time-scheduled follow-up during the period 1970 - 1975. Opiate abusers were younger than amphetamine abusers. In spite of their youth, opiate abusers were taking drugs more intensively. Amphetamine abusers showed improved short-term prognosis while the opposite trend was found in opiate abusers. Among first admissions of amphetamine abusers in 1970, 27 per cent were found to be drug free 6 months after discharge; in 1974 the figure was 44 per cent. The corresponding figures for opiate abusers were 11 per cent in 1970 and 3 per cent in 1974. The stage in the drug-taking career rather than the drug of abuse was found to be important for the short-term outcome.