Drug and alcohol review
-
Drug and alcohol review · May 2011
ReviewThe availability, diversion and injection of pharmaceutical opioids in South Asia.
To provide an overview of the availability of pharmaceutical opioids and the evidence on the extent of diversion and injection in South Asia. ⋯ It is imperative for the region to rapidly facilitate access to opioids for the treatment of pain and opioid dependence, ensuring effective systems that maintain quality care, regulate and monitor retail pharmacies, and minimise diversion. Prevention of HIV among people who inject pharmaceutical opioids is essential.
-
Drug and alcohol review · May 2011
ReviewDefinitions related to the use of pharmaceutical opioids: extramedical use, diversion, non-adherence and aberrant medication-related behaviours.
This paper (i) reviews the language used to describe and manage those patient practices that fall outside standard medical models of opioid treatment (for pain and opioid dependence), and (ii) proposes a consistent terminology that can be applied across multiple healthcare settings. ⋯ The increasing global attention on the use and diversion of pharmaceutical opioids warrants a discussion of current terms and definitions. Exaggerated concerns regarding 'addiction potential' may result in restrictions in the supply of opioids and the under-treatment of legitimate medical conditions. Researchers, clinicians, policy-makers and patients need to ensure greater care is given to terminology, including detailed descriptions of patient practices, the context in which they occur and severity of associated harm.
-
Drug and alcohol review · May 2011
Comparative StudyPharmaceutical opioid analgesic and heroin dependence: how do treatment-seeking clients differ in Australia?
Non-prescribed use of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics (POA) has been escalating internationally. In Australia, few studies have examined if POA users have similar characteristics and treatment needs to heroin users. The aim of this study was to compare those presenting for treatment where heroin versus POA were the primary drugs of concern. ⋯ While some differences existed, this study of Australian treatment seekers found many similar characteristics between those with primary problems with heroin and POA. Few non-injecting POA were recruited in this sample. This finding contrasts with reports of a growing population of opioid-dependent people with characteristics that are distinct from traditional opioid-dependent populations, which may reflect the orientation of current treatment systems in Australia towards injection drug users.