HEROIN DEPENDENCE;

FAMILY SUPPORT & RELAPSE IN PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and level of family support in Heroin Dependent patients presenting with 1st treatment and also the patients presenting with relapses. Study design: A descriptive study. Place & duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from September, 2013 to December, 2013. Subjects & methods: The sample consisted of 50 consecutive inpatients presenting with Heroin Dependence. They were interviewed and Family support Scale (FSS) was administered to know the level of support in heroin dependent patients. Results: Results showed that 20% patients relapsed 3 times while 38% had more than three times relapses among whome 30% patients have family support, but 70% have very low level and family support decreased with increasing number of replace. Conclusions: We concluded that higher level of family support was during in the 1st treatment of Heroin Dependence and family support decreased as the number of relapses increased.