Injection Into Femoral and Jugular Veins by Opiate Misusers

Abstract

The case notes of 69 consecutive intravenous opiate misusers attending an outpatient treatment unit were reviewed to explore possible factors associated with the use of femoral and jugular veins for injection. A longer history of treatment, a history of parental violence and/or abuse and evidence of early antisocial behaviour were associated with injection into deep veins. Replication of these results and further investigation of the hypothesis generated are recommended.

Key Words:

• Opiate misuse
• injection into deep veins
• early antisocial behaviour
• child abuse