Heroin Abstinence in 33-Year Observational Cohort

Characterizing Durations of Heroin Abstinence in the California Civil Addict Program: Results From a 33-Year Observational Cohort Study.

Am J Epidemiol. 2013 Feb 27. [Epub ahead of print]

 

Among 471 heroin-dependent males, 387 (82.2%) reported 932 abstinence episodes, 60.3% of which lasted at least 1 year.

 1. Demographic factors such as age and ethnicity did not explain variation in durations of abstinence episodes. Eemployment and lower drug use severity predicted longer episodes. 

2. Abstinence durations were longer following sustained treatment versus incarceration.

3. Individuals with multiple abstinence episodes remained abstinent for longer durations in successive episodes.

4.Abstinence episodes initiated >10 and ≤20 years after first use lasted longer than others.