On average they died nine years earlier than the general population. Many of the survivors, whose average age was 57, were still using heroin and other drugs. There were high rates of disability, hepatitis, mental health problems and criminal activity. The researchers found that many of the addicts endured a cycle of treatment followed relapse - failing to beat their addiction despite repeated attempts. They believe that any treatment that involves people suddenly giving up their habit is almost certain to fail.
Many people believe that millions of heroin addicts have just quit.
It's not true. Lead researcher Professor Yih-Ing Hser said the findings of the study were not surprising. Professor Hser said it was possible that the addicts indulged in other types of risky behaviour. She said addiction could be cured like an acute disease. Maybe treatment should be based on a philosophy of harm reduction as opposed to total abstinence, which we think is quite a high expectation and will only lead to frustration and to failure.