The American journal on addictions
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Prescription opioid misuse has not been well examined in the context of comorbid substance use in representative samples of substance users. Past 30-day comorbid prescription opioid misuse and recreational substance use (eg, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc.) was studied in a representative sample of substance users in the United States using the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). ⋯ Prescription opioid misuse is likely a part of a larger set of psychological, behavioral, and mental health problems. More attention should be given to the profiles of recreational (non-medical) substance use involving prescription opioids to curtail the current opioid crisis and prevent other similar epidemics in the future. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1-8).
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The opioid crisis has taken an immense toll in the United States. On average, five lives are lost to an opioid overdose every hour of the day; estimated costs associated with opioid misuse exceed $500 billion annually. Illicit opioid discontinuation is the first step in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and transition to an opioid agonist may initiate treatment. However, discontinuation to abstinence from either OUD directly or following agonist treatment results in severely distressing opioid withdrawal symptoms (OWS). ⋯ For the millions who are physically dependent on opioids, new treatments for OWS can enhance recovery from OUD and prevent relapse. (© 2019 The Authors. The American Journal on Addictions Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.;XX:1-8).
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Amidst a surging national crisis of opioid use, concern has been expressed about its impact on veterans, but no study has presented a population-based comparison of opioid use disorder (OUD) among veterans and non-veterans. We analyzed national epidemiologic data to compare rates, correlates and impacts of the opioid crisis on male veterans and non-veterans. ⋯ Our findings highlight comparable vulnerability of veterans to non-veterans in both the risk of OUD and adverse effects on HRQOL. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1-9).
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Tobacco use and co-prescription of sedative hypnotics are risk factors for misuse of prescribed opioids among patients with non-cancer pain. However, the association between tobacco use and these co-prescriptions has not been clarified. We aimed to assess differences in the prescription and co-prescription rates of opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines between tobacco users and non-users. ⋯ Tobacco users were more likely to receive prescriptions for opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines than non-users. Healthcare professionals need to limit co-prescription of opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines among tobacco users and provide a comprehensive approach to pain management. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1-8).