ABSTRACT
Relatively few drug misusers are entirely free from other physical or mental health problems. Many such problems represent direct consequences, even of so-called ‘recreational’ drug use: mood disturbances after ‘ecstasy’, psychotic episodes in stimulant use and respiratory disease due to cannabis are frequent examples. Drug injecting brings a further range of complications, from minor skin problems to fatal blood-borne virus infections, while dependent users suffer physical and psychological withdrawal effects, and frequently the various forms of mental distress associated with a disrupted lifestyle and social decline. Furthermore, it is not a random cross-section of the population who elect to use illicit drugs, with such individuals often having pre-existing psychological difficulties, perhaps arising from childhood disturbance and being manifest as personality disorder, depression or related conditions.
