Med livet som insats -- injektionsmissbruk risktagande och överdoser.

AIMS This article describes experiences of overdose among a group of long-term heroin users. The main aim is to seek understanding for circumstances, motives, emotions and actions concerning the phenomena of overdose. METHODS The data was collected through focus-groups and in-depth interviews during the period September 2006-January 2008. A total of 52 participants took part in the study. RESULTS The participants were aware of many of the common risk factors for overdoses. In spite of this, most participants had vast experience of overdoses. Most overdoses occurred as a result of a conscious risk-taking behavior. A number of different circumstances and motives meant that risks for overdoses were ignored or that risks were considered to be subordinate to the expected benefits of risk-taking. The search for the "ultimate rush", severe abstinence, anxiety and depression, feelings of indifference and despondency, an unsafe and stressful environment are examples of factors that Led to a decrease in considering risks and/or an increase of risk-taking. CONCLUSIONS Heroine overdoses can not be fully understood simply by defining different, isolated risk factors. There is also a need to explore the awareness of these risks among heroin users, how users comprehend and value these risks and what circumstances and which emotions and motives influence risk-taking that can lead to overdose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]