Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyOpioid-related mortality and filled prescriptions for buprenorphine and methadone.
To assess opioid-related mortality and correlation with filled prescriptions for buprenorphine and methadone. ⋯ This study showed that most fatalities were not related to filled prescriptions of maintenance drugs, and a substantial illicit use of buprenorphine and methadone resulting in deaths was revealed. To prevent opioid toxicity deaths it is important to make efforts not only to reduce drug diversion from maintenance programs, but also to improve the control of drug trafficking and other illegal sources.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jul 2014
Recreational drug use and binge drinking: stimulant but not cannabis intoxication is associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Binge drinking is elevated among recreational drug users, but it is not clear whether this elevation is related to intoxication with recreational drugs. We examined whether stimulant intoxication and cannabis intoxication were associated with binge drinking among young adults. ⋯ Stimulant intoxication, but not cannabis intoxication, is associated with binge drinking among young adults, compounding already high rates of binge drinking among people who use these drugs.
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Drug and alcohol review · May 2014
Comparative StudyChanges in injury-related hospital emergency department presentations associated with the imposition of regulatory versus voluntary licensing conditions on licensed venues in two cities.
Regulatory and collaborative intervention strategies have been developed to reduce the harms associated with alcohol consumption on licensed venues around the world, but there remains little research evidence regarding their comparative effectiveness. This paper describes concurrent changes in the number of night-time injury-related hospital emergency department presentations in two cities that implemented either a collaborative voluntary approach to reducing harms associated with licensed premises (Geelong) or a regulatory approach (Newcastle). ⋯ The data suggest that mandatory interventions based on trading hours restrictions were associated with reduced emergency department injury presentations in high-alcohol hours than voluntary interventions.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2014
Diversion of prescribed opioids by people living with chronic pain: results from an Australian community sample.
There has been an increase in prescription of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, and concern exists over possible diversion of prescription opioids to the illicit marketplace. Recent media coverage suggests that elderly patients sell their prescribed opioids for additional income. This study investigated the extent to which an Australian community sample of chronic pain patients prescribed opioids reported supplying their prescribed opioids to others. ⋯ Few people with chronic non-cancer pain divert their opioids to others. Media reports of elderly patients selling their opioids to supplement their income may be reflective of exceptional cases. Future studies may investigate the extent to which other patient groups divert prescription opioids to the illicit marketplace.