In sum, evidence suggests that there are at least some clinical and family background differences between male and female dependent heroin users; that polydrug use is problematic amongst this population; and that polysubstance dependent individuals have more adverse family backgrounds and self-harming behaviours than mono-substance dependent individuals. To our knowledge the relationship between sex, multiple substance dependence diagnoses, mental health and family background variables in a heroin dependent sample has not been tested in a comprehensive model. The current study is based on an extensive interview with a large sample of dependent heroin users recruited in Sydney, Australia. It provides a different focus from the previous Australian study of heroin users, the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS). ATOS was a longitudinal study of heroin users in treatment, with a sample size of 825 (Ross, et al., 2005). Its focus was on treatment and its outcomes. The current study explores the characteristics and family backgrounds of dependent heroin users, their other substance dependence, and their mental health problems. In sum, the current study allows us to test the strength of the relationships between several additional variables. Thus, this paper aims to:
