HIV-infected drug addicts in a clinic for infectious diseases are dissatisfied and desire more treatment
Tokåker, P.O.; Spångberg, L.; Pehrson, P.
Lakartidningen 88(12): 1069; 1071-1072
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 2016939 Document Number: 376486
In structured interviews with 171 HIV-positive iv drug abusers at the HIV clinic of Roslagstull Hospital in Stockholm, were investigated their current drug abuse and any wishes they might have as to their treatment. Over 75 per cent reported drugs abuse in the past 12-month period-chiefly iv heroin. Half of them reported that they lacked any form of counselling for their addiction, and something over 40 per cent wanted treatment- the predominant choice being methadone treatment. Despite methadone treatment having been found effective in cases of opiate-dependence, and in many cases a prerequisite of rehabilitation, the queues for it are very long in Sweden--up to two years. Adequate treatment for these patients needs to be made more rapidly available, and greater attention paid to the patients' own views. This is of the utmost importance, both epidemiologically and from the individual patient's point of view, and is a prerequisite in preventing the spread of HIV infection.