Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
Trends and characteristics of heroin overdoses in Wisconsin, 2003-2012.
Heroin abuse has increased substantially during the past decade in the United States. This study describes trends and demographic shifts of heroin overdoses and heroin-related fatalities in Wisconsin and contrasts these with prescription opioid overdoses. ⋯ An epidemic of heroin abuse is characterized by demographic shifts toward whites and rural residents. Rates of heroin overdose in younger persons now exceed rates of prescription opioid overdose.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
A reexamination of medical marijuana policies in relation to suicide risk.
Previous research has suggested that medical marijuana policies lead to reductions in suicide rates. In this study, we further investigate the association between these policies and within-state changes in suicide risk. ⋯ We find no statistically significant association between medical marijuana policy and suicide risk. These results contradict prior analyses which did not control for race/ethnicity and certain state characteristics such as tobacco control policies. Failure to control for these factors in future analyses would likely bias estimates of the associations between medical marijuana policy and health outcomes.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
Opioid abuse and depression in adolescents: Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
To investigate the association of major depressive episode (MDE) with nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents aged 12 to 17. ⋯ MDE occurs commonly in adolescents and is associated with NMPOU and opioid abuse/dependence. In terms of population attributable risk, which is a function of both the prevalence and the strength of the association, MDE is an important risk factor for NMPOU among adolescents and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents with NMPOU. Preventive and clinical programs to decrease NMPOU and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents should consider the prominent role of depression.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jun 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialCharacterizing opioid withdrawal during double-blind buprenorphine detoxification.
Prescription opioid (PO) abuse has become an urgent public health issue in the United States. Detoxification is one important treatment option, yet relatively little is known about the time course and severity of opioid withdrawal during buprenorphine detoxification. ⋯ Data from this trial may inform clinicians about the expected time course, magnitude, and pattern of buprenorphine withdrawal and aid efforts to identify patients who may need additional clinical support during outpatient buprenorphine detoxification.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Jun 2015
Racial/ethnic differences in trends in heroin use and heroin-related risk behaviors among nonmedical prescription opioid users.
This study examines changing patterns of past-year heroin use and heroin-related risk behaviors among individuals with nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) by racial/ethnic groups in the United States. ⋯ Individuals with NMUPO, particularly non-Hispanic Whites, are at high risk of heroin use and heroin-related risk behaviors. These results suggest that frequent nonmedical users of prescription opioids, regardless of race/ethnicity, should be the focus of novel public health efforts to prevent and mitigate the harms of heroin use.