Minorities in a detoxififcation unit in Greece: I. Socio-demographic characteristics

Abstract

Backgroun and Aims:

Drug use, in isolated "primitive" communities, has been considered as a mechanism of social integration; in ethnocultural subgroups in contact with mainstream society, drug use has been considered as a marker, or sometimes as a cause of social disorganization.

Methods:

This is a retrospective archives study. Admissions in Detox Unit of Thessaloniki (residential facility, part of Addictions Department at the Psychiatric Hospital and the only Detoxification Unit in Greece) for the decade 1996-2005 were studied. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were recorded.

Results:

Patients belonging to ethnocultural subgroups represent 4.8% of the total number of patients admitted (109/2265) and 7.2% of the total admissions number (191/2655). 86.73% are men and 13.27% are women. The mean age is 29.68 years old. The vast majority (77%) is Greek repatriated from European Community Countries and the Former Soviet-Union Republics, and some are from Albania. The median length of stay in Greece is 8.9 years. The rest (17%) belong to ethnocultural Greek subgroups (Roma, Greek Muslim minority). Most of the patients admitted are singles and have a secondary education level. The vast majority (84.6%) are unemployed.

Conclusions:

The very low percentage of these admissions, 7.2%, doesn't necessarily represent the actual ratio of users in ethnocultural subgroups in Greece. Specific programs would undoubtedly lift some of the obstacles that hinder minority users from seeking help.