The American journal on addictions
-
Buprenorphine has become the major treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) but data on long treatment term retention and its correlates are sparse. ⋯ Future research focused on identifying further correlates of treatment retention is required to help devise interventions to improve treatment continuation. (Am J Addict 2017;26:572-580).
-
Adults with mental illness (MI) use combustible tobacco at increased rates and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), their use by those with MI has important health implications. While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits of e-cigarette use for those with MI, well-controlled, systematic research examining appeal, correlates, and consequences of e-cigarette use in this vulnerable population is lacking. This review evaluated current knowledge of e-cigarette use and potential for help and/or harm among adults with MI. ⋯ As with combustible cigarettes, individuals with MI may display unique e-cigarette use patterns from that of the general population. (Am J Addict 2017;26:306-315).
-
Opioids increase the risk for sleep disordered breathing (SDB), but there are few studies examining the prevalence and risk factors for SDB, specifically central sleep apnea (CSA), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in chronic pain patients on opioids as well as methadone maintained patients (MMPs). ⋯ CSA and OSA are common in MMPs and chronic pain patients on opioids. Among chronic pain patients, higher opioid doses appear to be a risk factor for CSA, and to a lesser extent OSA. Therefore, it is important for providers to screen these patient populations for SDB. (Am J Addict 2016;25:452-465).
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychometric assessment of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System and the MOTHER NAS Scale.
The present study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (NASS; "Finnegan Scale") and the MOTHER NAS Scale (MNS). ⋯ This study found that two frequently used measures of neonatal abstinence syndrome suffer inadequacies in regard to their basic measurement characteristics. (Am J Addict 2016;25:370-373).
-
Observational Study
Seeking prescription opioids from physicians for nonmedical use among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting.
Despite the high prevalence of prescription opioid (PO) misuse, little is known about the phenomenon of seeking POs for nonmedical use among high-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID). We therefore sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of seeking POs from a physician for nonmedical use among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. ⋯ Our findings highlight the need to identify evidence-based public health and clinical strategies to mitigate PO misuse among PWID without compromising care for PWID with legitimate medical concerns. (Am J Addict 2016;25:275-282).