Studies of heroin dependent persons have described a chronic disorder strongly associated with polydrug use, poor mental and physical health, an increased risk for mortality, and poor legal, social and economic outcomes (Bargarli, et al., 2006; Burns, et al., in press; Craddock, Rounds-Bryant, Flynn, & Hubbard, 1997; Degenhardt, et al., in press; Fischer, Firestone Cruz, & Rehm, 2006; Fischer, Manzoni, & Rehm, 2006; Gossop, et al., 1998; Hubbard, Craddock, & Anderson, 2003). Although it is a low prevalence disorder, the severity of problems associated with it makes it an important public health issue to understand. Further, within the heroin dependent population, important clinical differences may be manifest for different subpopulations including males and females.
