Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · Nov 2020
Self-managing illicit stimulant use: A qualitative study with patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment.
Illicit stimulant use is prevalent among patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) and has been associated with early treatment discontinuation and illicit opioid use. Despite these concerns, little is known about the use of illicit stimulants in this population. As such, this study aimed to explore the processes by which patients receiving iOAT engage in the use of illicit stimulants. ⋯ For patients with opioid use disorder and concurrent stimulant use disorder, access to iOAT can promote the self-management of illicit stimulant use. Daily visits to the clinic for opioid agonist treatment present an important opportunity to offer services and supports for patients who use illicit stimulants. Interventions can be guided by patients, recognising them as experts in the management of their stimulant use.