The first study revealed that only a small number of drug addicts had been referred to the institution by parents, general practitioners, and the medical and social services, while the majority of cases had decided to seek consultation. The second study, concerning latency, showed that for the majority of addicts, less than three years elapsed between the first use of heroin and the first consultation. On the average, one year elapsed between the time when the addict became aware of his or her dependence and the first consultation. The third study, which was ethnographic, indicated that the first request for treatment was most often not prompted by physical disorders related to drug use but by other factors including feeling tired of being addicted to drugs. 9 references. (Author abstract modified)