Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · Mar 2015
Observational StudyDenial of prescription analgesia among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting.
Despite the high prevalence of pain among people who inject drugs (PWIDs), clinicians may be reluctant to prescribe opioid-based analgesia to those with a history of drug use or addiction. We sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of PWIDs reporting being denied of prescription analgesia (PA). We also explored reported reasons for and actions taken after being denied PA. ⋯ These findings highlight the challenges of addressing perceived pain and the need for strategies to prevent high-risk methods of self-managing pain, such as obtaining diverted medications or illicit substances for pain. Such strategies may include integrated pain management guidelines within methadone maintenance treatment and other substance use treatment programs.
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Drug and alcohol review · Mar 2015
A typology of prescription drug misuse: a latent class approach to differences and harms.
Prescription drug misuse is a considerable problem among young adults, and the identification of types of misuse among this population remains important for prevention and intervention efforts. We use latent class analysis to identify possible distinct latent groups of prescription drug misusers across multiple prescription drug types (pain killers, sedatives and stimulants). ⋯ Prevention efforts should take into account that young adults who misuse prescription drug have different profiles of misuse, and there may be a need for varied interventions to target these different types of misuse.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2015
The impact of childhood emotional abuse on violence among people who inject drugs.
Childhood emotional abuse is a known risk factor for various poor social and health outcomes. While people who inject drugs (IDU) report high levels of violence, in addition to high rates of childhood maltreatment, the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and later life violence within this population has not been examined. ⋯ We found high rates of childhood emotional abuse and subsequent adult violence among this sample of IDU. Emotional abuse was associated with both victimisation and perpetration of violence. These findings highlight the need for policies and programmes that address both child abuse and historical emotional abuse among adult IDU.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyType of opioids injected: does it matter? A multicentric cross-sectional study of people who inject drugs.
Injecting pharmaceutical opioids for non-medical purposes is a major concern globally. Though pharmaceutical opioids injection is reported in India, the exact proportion of people who inject drugs (PWID) using pharmaceutical opioids is unknown. The objectives of this study were to describe the various types of drugs that are injected by people in India and to analyse the differences between the commonly injected drugs. ⋯ Pharmaceutical opioids are the most common drugs injected in India currently and have greater injection-related risks and complications. Significant differences exist between different pharmaceutical opioids, which would be important considerations for interventions.
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Drug and alcohol review · Nov 2014
Implications of enrolment eligibility criteria in alcohol treatment outcome research: generalisability and potential bias in 1- and 6-year outcomes.
It has been acknowledged that participants in clinical trials differ from real-world service users, primarily due to the extensive use of research eligibility criteria (EC). Generalisability and outcome bias become pressing issues when evidence-based treatment guidelines, crystallised from outcome research, influence treatment provision. This study reports on the effects of EC on generalisability and short- and long-term outcomes among real-world treatment-seekers. ⋯ Outcome studies that exclude complex and non-compliant cases are not representative of real-world service users, and thus effectiveness estimates from clinical trials are biased by several commonly used EC. EC should be used judiciously and be taken into account in practice guidelines. This burgeoning research area should be further developed. [Storbjörk J. Implications of enrolment eligibility criteria in alcohol treatment outcome research: Generalisability and potential bias in 1- and 6-year outcomes. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:604-11].