Abstract
Abuse of drugs “for kicks” is becoming more common in Great Britain. This article reviews 252 consecutive cases of drug abuse admitted to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, during 1971 and 1972. Of the 189 patients (146 males and 43 females; mean age 20 years) 72% of admissions occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., and Saturday was the most common day for admissions. The commonest source of referral was via the police or ambulance service. Barbiturates were the drugs most often abused, followed by LSD (lysergide) and Mandrax (methaqualone and diphenhydramine). Sixty-five per cent. of patients had previously abused drugs. Medical care was required in 45% of the admissions. Sixty per cent. were in social class 4 or 5 and psychiatric and social support was required in only a small minority of patients.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Baird R. N., Noble J., McLean D. Initial intensive care in an accident and emergency department. Br Med J. 1972 Oct 14;4(5832):90–92. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5832.90. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Greer S., Bagley C. Effect of psychiatric intervention in attempted suicide: a controlled study. Br Med J. 1971 Feb 6;1(5744):310–312. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5744.310. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KESSEL N., MCCULLOCH W., HENDRY J., LESLIE D., WALLACE I., WEBSTER R. HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN EDINBURGH. Scott Med J. 1964 Aug;9:333–334. doi: 10.1177/003693306400900802. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lawson A. A., Mitchell I. Patients with acute poisoning seen in a general medical unit (1960-71). Br Med J. 1972 Oct 21;4(5833):153–156. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5833.153. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Levy R. M. Diazepam for L.S.D. intoxication. Lancet. 1971 Jun 19;1(7712):1297–1297. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(71)91810-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Matthew H., Mackintosh T. F., Tompsett S. L., Cameron J. C. Gastric aspiration and lavage in acute poisoning. Br Med J. 1966 May 28;1(5499):1333–1337. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5499.1333. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Matthew H. Prescribing mandrax. Br Med J. 1973 May 12;2(5862):367–367. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5862.367-c. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Matthew H., Proudfoot A. T., Brown S. S., Aitken R. C. Acute poisoning: organization and work-load of a treatment centre. Br Med J. 1969 Aug 30;3(5669):489–493. doi: 10.1136/bmj.3.5669.489. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Patel A. R., Roy M., Wilson G. M. Self-poisoning and alcohol. Lancet. 1972 Nov 25;2(7787):1099–1102. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(72)92712-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]