Accidental and Deliberate Overdose Among Opiate Addicts in Methadone Maintenance Treatment: are Deliberate Overdoses Systematically Different?

The frequency of accidental or deliberate overdose was investigated among 200 opiate addicts in methadone substitution treatment in clinics in Edinburgh & south London. 103 participants reported a mean of 3.4 overdoses, with 27 reporting deliberate intent. Those whose overdose was deliberate were more likely to have been prescribed diazepam at that time & were more depressed at the time of interview. Differentiation by self-reported reason for overdose suggests that treatment providers should distinguish between accidental & deliberate overdose in developing overdose prevention strategies. (17 refs.)