The relationship between overdose and alcohol consumption among methadone maintenance patients

Ninety-six methadone maintenance addicts were interviewed about their personal experiences of overdose and their patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use. Alcohol consumption was measured using a 72 h self-report drink diary and severity of dependence to alcohol measured using the Severity of Dependence Scale. Forty-three (44.8%) of the addicts reported that they had never overdosed, 34 (35.4%) had experienced one or two overdoses, and 19 (19.8%) had experienced three or more overdoses in their lives. Heavy drinkers reported significantly more lifetime overdoses than either of the other groups (f = 8.92; d.f. = 2.93; P < 0.001). Self-reports of alcohol dependence and alcohol problems were also associated with greater numbers of lifetime overdose. Addicts should be educated about the risks of alcohol misuse and the possible role of alcohol as a contributory factor to poly-drug overdose.