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Abstract
Object: The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of non‐fatal heroin overdoses for men and women in Sweden, a country with late onset of heroin use.
Material: Subjects were recruited through the Syringe Programme and the Addiction Centre in Malmoe. A total of 149 subjects were interviewed, 108 men and 41 women. They were asked about their social situation, experienced and observed overdoses and circumstances around them.
Results: Overdoses were very common; 74% of the subjects had experienced at least one overdose. Almost all, 96%, had observed at least one overdose in others and 32% had witnessed a fatal overdose. Actions taken were often insufficient. A combination with other drugs, mainly benzodiazepine and alcohol and/or a lowered tolerance for heroin after visits in institutions contributed to the overdose in a majority of the cases. Men and women differed in that men used concomitant drugs more often and women more often took heroin alone.
Conclusion: Self‐reported and observed non‐fatal heroin overdoses were more common than expected. Contributing factors were found in the majority of the cases. Pure overdoses were more common in women.
Acknowledgement
This study was supported by grant from the Swedish National Drug Policy Coordinator and the Swedish Medical Council.