Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Nov 2016
Sustained reduction of diversion and abuse after introduction of an abuse deterrent formulation of extended release oxycodone.
The development of abuse deterrent formulations is one strategy for reducing prescription opioid misuse and abuse. A putative abuse deterrent formulation of oxycodone extended release (OxyContin®) was introduced in 2010. Early reports demonstrated reduced abuse and diversion, however, an analysis of social media found 32 feasible methods to circumvent the abuse deterrent mechanism. We measured trends of diversion, abuse and street price of OxyContin to assess the durability of the initial reduction in abuse. ⋯ Despite methods to circumvent the abuse deterrent mechanism, abuse and diversion of OxyContin decreased promptly following the introduction of a crush- and solubility- resistant formulation and continued to decrease over the subsequent 5 years.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialUnused opioid analgesics and drug disposal following outpatient dental surgery: A randomized controlled trial.
Individuals who abuse prescription opioids often use leftover pills that were prescribed for friends or family members. Dental surgery has been identified as a common source of opioid prescriptions. We measured rates of used and unused opioids after dental surgery for a pilot program to promote safe drug disposal. ⋯ Fifty-four percent of opioids prescribed in this pilot study were not used. The pharmacy-based drug disposal intervention showed a robust effect size but did not achieve statistical significance. Dentists and oral surgeons could potentially reduce opioid diversion by moderately reducing the quantity of opioid analgesics prescribed after surgery.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialGender differences in snus versus nicotine gum for cigarette avoidance among a sample of US smokers.
Women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Thus, identifying effective harm reduction approaches for women is necessary. The goal of this project was to examine gender differences in response to snus versus nicotine gum for cigarette avoidance, as a means of harm reduction. ⋯ Despite a number of gender differences in response to snus versus nicotine gum, these data suggest that snus may not be an optimal harm reduction approach for either gender.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Nov 2016
Alcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men.
Few studies have employed standardized alcohol misuse measures to assess relationships with sexual risk and HIV/syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). ⋯ Recent alcohol misuse was associated with increased sexual and HIV/syphilis risks among Chinese MSM, emphasizing the needs of implementing alcohol risk reduction programs in this population.
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Drug overdose deaths are epidemic in the U.S. Prescription opioid pain relievers (OPR) and heroin account for the majority of drug overdoses. Preventing death after an opioid overdose by naloxone administration requires the rapid identification of the overdose by witnesses. This study used a state medical examiner database to characterize fatal overdoses, evaluate witness-reported signs of overdose, and identify opportunities for intervention. ⋯ OPR overdose deaths differed by age, health status, and the presence of bystanders, yet received naloxone less often when compared to heroin overdose deaths. These findings suggest that naloxone education and distribution should be targeted in future prevention efforts.