Having a baby or finding a job increases significantly the chances of a drug addict remaining free of illicit drugs one year after going into rehabilitation, according to a survey conducted by the Eastern Health Board.
The findings of the study, which also shows that 46 per cent of addicts have never sat an examination, were presented at a weekend conference in St James's Hospital, Dublin, on general practitioners and the misuse of drugs.
The research is believed to provide an accurate profile of abusers, and the results have formed the basis for the development of a programme to manage drug misuse.
Mr Martin Gallagher, programme manager of addiction services, said the board would be shortly inviting submissions on the draft document from agencies and those working with drug-abusers. The board then plans to hold a conference to agree a programme of implementation.
The researchers, Mr Peter Dorman and Ms Lynsey Jones, set out to examine the views of addicts, health board staff and community groups on how rehabilitation programmes should be developed In June and July a survey of 94 addicts was undertaken to examine their family situations, drug histories, employment records, social lifestyles, skills and education. All but three of those interviewed were on methadone.
Most indicated they started using drugs as a result of peer pressure. More than 60 per cent said they did not have a positive school experience and only 8 per cent had sat the Leaving Certificate.
The majority, 58.5 per cent, were unemployed and 55 per cent said their work had been seriously disrupted by drugs.
A total of 85 per cent had been in trouble with the law, half of them in violent crime.
However, only 5 per cent of those on methadone treatment said they were now involved in crime.
The survey also showed that drugs had resulted in social isolation for many addicts, with 86 per cent indicating they had lost significant friendships because of drugs and 49 per cent claiming they had no friends, while 14 per cent were unable to identify any personal skill or quality.
The majority said their health was not as good as it should be. Some 31 per cent had considered suicide, 54 per cent had hepatitis C, 4 per cent were HIV positive and 50 per cent had experienced depression.
A total of 80 per cent of women said that they did not eat a hot meal regularly compared to 26 per cent of men.
Mr Gallagher said one of the most encouraging signs was that 86 per cent wanted to be free of illicit drugs, and what they felt was needed most was more rehabilitation programmes, a more understanding attitude and more clinics.
Health board staff felt one of the keys to rehabilitation was finding work for abusers and having a multidisciplinary and multi-agency approach to tackling the problem, while community groups felt access to counselling, staff training, after-hours services, support in the form of childcare and a safe drug-free environment were important factors.
All those surveyed felt rehabilitation programmes needed to offer hope to addicts, given that so many of them wished to be free of drugs.