Some studies on heroin addicts

ABSTRACT

The present study in corporates information on the clinical and socio - economic profile of Forty heroin addicts. A special proforma was used for recording important clinical and laboratory findings, and collecting data on various issues related to the socio - economic aspect of the problem.The majority of the addicts were in the age group of 20 - 30 years. Most of them were uneducated and consumed upto one gram of herion per day. Values of Blood Pressure, heart rate and WBC were in normal range. The values of RBC, haemoglobin and plasma proteins were below normal in the majority of cases. The values of ESR, urea, blood sugar, cholesterol and bilirubin were in normal range, with the exception of three, six, two, one and six subjects respectively. Values for enzymes [SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase] were also in normal range with the exception of two, one and two patients respectively. Low haemoglobin level and RBC count indicate that all the addicts suffered from moderate to severe degree of anaemia. Hypoproteinemia was seen in the majority of the cases showing that the addicts suffered from severe malnutrition. More extensive studies are suggested to arrive at clear - cut conclusions about the effect of heroin addiction on blood urea, cholesterol and bilirubin, and enzymes like SGOT and Alkaline phosphatase