Licit and illicit drug initiations and alcohol-related problems amongst illicit drug users in Edinburgh.

A non-random study group of one hundred and fifteen regular illicit drug users were interviewed in Edinburgh between January and July 1988. It was found that initiation to the use of alcohol and tobacco generally preceded the first use of illicit substances. The circumstances of initiation to alcohol use often differed from those of initiation to an illicit substance. Results from the first phase of this longitudinal study also indicate that the majority of current users of illicit drugs have experienced a wide range of problems attributed to alcohol consumption. Opiate users in particular, reported experiencing alcohol-related trouble with the police, being involved in alcohol-related violence and being banned from premises due to their drinking.