Prevalence of substance use among offspring of opioid addicts

Aims: This study assessed the prevalence of substance use in sons and daughters of opioids addicts in Iran. Measurements: A confidential sernistructured interview and DSM-IV criteria were used. Data were gathered from 500 subjects (225 men and 275 women). These subjects were selected randomly from sons and daughters of 500 opioids addicts (out of 1500 opioids addicts) who sought treatment in 2000. Results: Of these subjects, 33.8% were in the age range of 20-29, 33.1% in 30-39, 28% were >40, and 7.1% were <20 years; of them, 81.6% were married and 18.4% were single. The majority (36.2%) used cigarettes, 19% used opium, 18.2% used alcohol, 2.6% used hashish, and 1.6% used marijuana once or more at some time in their lives. Nobody used cocaine or psychedelics. Of the current substance dependents, using DMS-IV criteria, 46.7% of men and 5.5% of women were nicotine dependent, 12.9% of men and 1.1% of women were opium dependent, and 0.9% of men and 0.7% of women were heroin dependent. (Some used or were using more than one substance.) Enjoyment (56.8%) was the first and modeling (49.6%) was the second most common reason reported for substance use. Conclusions: Substance use was significantly higher in men, in single, and also in illiterate subjects. There was a nonsignificant relation between age group and substance use. Cultural attitudes toward drug use quite likely affect the type and amounts of use. These findings can be considered when planning preventive programs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.