Abstract Background Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of opiate users has been soccer packs studied in treatment settings, where assistance for drug use was sought.In this study we ascertain factors related to HRQL of young opiate users recruited outside treatment facilities, considering both genders separately.Methods Current opiate users (18-30 y) were recruited in outdoor settings in three Spanish cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla).Standardised laptop interviews included socio-demographic data, drug use patterns, health related issues, the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) and the Nottingham Health Profile Conditioner (NHP).Results A total of 991 subjects (73% males), mean age = 25.
7 years were interviewed.The mean global NHP score differed by gender (women: 41.2 (sd:23.8); men:34.1(sd:23.
6);p Conclusions Heroin users were found to be at a considerable risk of impaired HRQL, even in these young ages.A score approaching severity of dependence was the factor with the strongest relation with it.