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Patterns of prescription opioid use prior to self-reported heroin initiation
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4 01 2021
Source: J Addict Med. 15(2):130-133 -
Alternative Title:J Addict Med
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Personal Author:
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Description:Objectives:
To determine the association between self-reported heroin initiation and patterns of prescription opioid use.
Methods:
Using linked Oregon Medicaid, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), and Treatment Episodes Data Set data, we conducted a case-control study of individuals reporting heroin initiation between 2015 and 2017 during treatment intake. PDMP data provided prescription opioid use patterns, including long-term prescription opioid therapy, in the year prior to self-reported heroin initiation. Four controls were matched to each case on aggregate prescription opioid use and demographics.
Results:
About half (49%) of individuals who reported heroin initiation filled an opioid in the year prior to initiation. Individuals who initiated heroin (n=306) were more likely to receive prescriptions from multiple prescribers (24% vs 18%, p=0.007) and pharmacies (12% vs 5%, p<0.001) compared with matched controls (n=1,224). Long-term opioid therapy (13% vs 14%, p=0.74) was uncommon and did not differ between groups.
Conclusions:
Although prescription opioid use commonly preceded self-reported heroin initiation, long-term opioid therapy was not common. Although this study did not find an association between opioid discontinuation and heroin initiation, sample size and follow-up limitations preclude definitive conclusions. Efforts to limit prescription opioids should continue to evaluate for unintended harms.
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Subjects:
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Source:
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Pubmed ID:32732683
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC7855393
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Document Type:
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Place as Subject:
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Main Document Checksum:
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File Type:
[PDF-51.71 KB]
Details:
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