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Pragst F, Niebel A, Thurmann D, Dullin M, Eichberg S, Mörlein F, Hartwig S. Is there a relationship between abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs seen in hair results? Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38686500 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Combined use of alcohol and illicit drugs is a serious health and social problem. In this study, it was examined, whether a relationship between alcohol and drug abuse can be ascertained by comparison of alcohol marker and drug concentrations in hair. In the frame of a social support system for families with parental abuse of illicit drugs, hair samples were analyzed between 2011 and 2022 for methadone, heroin (6-acetylmorphine), cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA), cannabinoids (THC), and the alcohol markers ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl palmitate (EtPa). For 1314 hair samples from adolescent and adult family members, the hair results show a prevalence of combined occasional or regular drug use and social or abusive alcohol use of 41%-60% except heroin (35%). The drug concentrations were statistically compared in the three categories of abstinence or moderate drinking, social drinking, and alcohol abuse. For the most frequently detected drug cocaine (n = 703), a significant increase of the concentrations with rising alcohol consumption was found. The frequent detection of cocaethylene proved the preferred simultaneous intake of both substances. For THC (n = 489), no significant difference between the alcohol consumer groups was seen. Concerning the less frequently detected methadone (n = 89), 6-acetylmorphine (n = 92), amphetamine (n = 123), and MDMA (n = 105), no clear trend between drug and alcohol marker results was determined. It is concluded that the evaluation of hair results is an appropriate way to study the extent of combined drug-alcohol consumption and complements other studies based on acquisition of consumption data by interview or questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Pragst
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Niebel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denise Thurmann
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monique Dullin
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susann Eichberg
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederike Mörlein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Hartwig
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Marshall T, Olson K, Youngson E, Abba-Aji A, Li XM, Vohra S, Lewanczuk R. Preexisting mental health disorders and risk of opioid use disorder in young people: A case-control study. Early Interv Psychiatry 2023; 17:963-973. [PMID: 36792950 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a leading cause of preventable mortality amongst young people worldwide. Early identification and intervention of modifiable risk factors may reduce future OUD risk. The aim of this study was to explore whether the onset of OUD is associated with preexisting mental health conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders in young people. METHODS A retrospective, population-based case-control study was conducted from 31 March 2018 until 01 January 2002. Provincial administrative health data were collected from Alberta, Canada. CASES Individuals 18-25 years on 01 April 2018, with a previous record of OUD. CONTROLS Individuals without OUD were matched to cases, on age/sex/index date. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to control for additional covariates (e.g., alcohol-related disorders, psychotropic medications, opioid analgesics, and social/material deprivation). RESULTS We identified N = 1848 cases and N = 7392 matched controls. After adjustment, OUD was associated with the following preexisting mental health conditions: Anxiety disorders, aOR = 2.53 (95% CI = 2.16-2.96); depressive disorders, aOR = 2.20 (95% CI = 1.80-2.70); alcohol-related disorders, aOR = 6.08 (95% CI, 4.86-7.61); anxiety and depressive disorders, aOR = 1.94 (95% CI = 1.56-2.40); anxiety and alcohol-related disorders, aOR = 5.22 (95% CI = 4.03-6.77); depressive and alcohol-related disorders, aOR = 6.47 (95% CI = 4.73-8.84); anxiety, depressive and alcohol-related disorders, aOR = 6.09 (95% CI = 4.41-8.42). DISCUSSION Preexisting mental health conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders are risk factors for future OUD in young people. Preexisting alcohol-related disorders showed the strongest association with future OUD and demonstrated an additive risk when concurrent with anxiety/depression. As not all plausible risk factors could be examined, more research is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Marshall
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Karin Olson
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Erik Youngson
- Health Research Methods and Analytics, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Adam Abba-Aji
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xin-Min Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sunita Vohra
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard Lewanczuk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Mahoney JJ, Winstanley EL, Castillo F, Luba R, Marton J, Alschuler DM, Liu Y, Comer SD. A pilot study investigating cognitive impairment associated with opioid overdose. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 247:109865. [PMID: 37094488 PMCID: PMC10230403 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021, while overdose (OD) deaths were at the highest in recorded history, it is estimated that >80% of ODs do not result in a fatality. While several case studies have indicated that opioid-related ODs can result in cognitive impairment, the possible association has not yet been systematically investigated. METHODS 78 participants with a history of OUD who reported experiencing an OD in the past year (n=35) or denied a lifetime history of OD (n=43) completed this study. Participants completed cognitive assessments including the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). Comparisons were made between those who experienced an opioid-related OD in the past year versus those who denied a lifetime OD history while controlling for factors including age, premorbid functioning, and number of prior ODs. RESULTS When comparing those who experienced an opioid-related OD within the past year to those without a history of OD, uncorrected standard scores were generally comparable; however, differences emerged in the multivariable model. Specifically, compared to those without a history of OD, those who experienced a past year OD evidenced significantly lower total cognition composite scores (coef. = -7.112; P=0.004), lower crystalized cognition composite scores (coef. = -4.194; P=0.009), and lower fluid cognition composite scores (coef. = -7.879; P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS Findings revealed that opioid-related ODs may be associated with, or contribute to, reduced cognition. Extent of the impairment appears contingent upon individuals' premorbid intellectual functioning and the cumulative number of past ODs. While statistically significant, clinical significance may be limited given that performance differences (∼4 - 8 points) were not particularly robust. More rigorous investigation is warranted, and future studies must also account for the many other variables possibly contributing to cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Mahoney
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Erin L Winstanley
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Felipe Castillo
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Luba
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Marton
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra D Comer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Amico KN, Arnold ME, Dourron MS, Solomon MG, Schank JR. The effect of concurrent access to alcohol and oxycodone on self-administration and reinstatement in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3277-3286. [PMID: 35972517 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06210-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Although polysubstance use is highly prevalent, preclinical studies that assess voluntary consumption of multiple substances at the same time are rather uncommon. Overlooking drug taking patterns commonly observed in humans may limit the translational value of preclinical models. OBJECTIVES Here, we aimed to develop a model of polysubstance use that could be used to assess oral operant self-administration patterns under concurrent access to alcohol and the prescription opioid oxycodone. METHODS After a training period where animals associated specific cues and levers with each drug, rats self-administered alcohol and oxycodone solutions concurrently in daily sessions. Oxycodone was then removed to assess potential changes in alcohol consumption. The role of cues and stress on alcohol consumption and oxycodone seeking was also examined under reinstatement conditions. RESULTS We found that females consumed more alcohol and oxycodone than males when given access to both drugs, and this effect on alcohol intake persisted when oxycodone was removed. Additionally, re-exposure to oxycodone cues in combination with the administration of the pharmacological stressor yohimbine drove reinstatement of oxycodone seeking in females but did not have a strong effect in males, possibly due to low levels of oxycodone intake during active self-administration in male rats. Additionally, yohimbine drove increased alcohol consumption, in line with prior findings from our group and others. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, this study demonstrates that rats will concurrently self-administer both oxycodone and alcohol in operant chambers, and this procedure can serve as a platform for future investigations in polysubstance use and relapse-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen N Amico
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Miranda E Arnold
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Morgan S Dourron
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Matthew G Solomon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jesse R Schank
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Guastaferro WP, Koetzle D, Lutgen-Nieves L, Teasdale B. Opioid Agonist Treatment Recipients within Criminal Justice-Involved Populations. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:698-707. [PMID: 35172673 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2034869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: In 2014, nearly 2.5 million Americans had a substance use disorder for opioids (e.g., prescription pain medication or heroin) with over half estimated to have had prior contact with the criminal justice system. Despite strong evidence that opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is effective in reducing overdose, increasing treatment retention, and improving physical health and well-being outcomes, the use of OAT among justice-involved individuals is relatively rare. Methods: The current study uses national data of publicly funded admissions to substance abuse treatment to assess the extent to which OAT is used for cases referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. We explore the relationship between demographics, substance use severity, and access to treatment and OAT receipt. Results: Findings indicate that fewer than 6% of criminal justice cases received OAT as part of the treatment plan. Those with daily substance use, comorbid psychiatric problems, prior treatment, females, Latinos, and those who were older and those who were living independently were more likely to receive OAT, as were those living in the Northeast and with government health insurance. Conclusions: Improving the integration of the criminal justice system with substance use treatment programs would improve access to care and potentially reduce multiple health disparities faced by those in the justice system. As criminal justice responses to substance use disorder move toward a public health approach, it is imperative that the criminal justice system consider mechanisms for improving access and referrals to OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy P Guastaferro
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Deborah Koetzle
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice, New York, USA
| | - Laura Lutgen-Nieves
- Department of Criminal Justice, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana, USA
| | - Brent Teasdale
- Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IllinoisUSA
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Winstanley EL, Mahoney JJ, Castillo F, Comer SD. Neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities resulting from opioid-related overdoses: A systematic review. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108838. [PMID: 34271512 PMCID: PMC8889511 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-fatal opioid-related overdoses have increased significantly over the past two decades and there have been increasing reports of brain injuries and/or neurocognitive impairments following overdose events. Limited preclinical research suggests that opioid overdoses may cause brain injury; however, little is known about such injuries in humans. The purpose this systematic review is to summarize existing studies on neurocognitive impairments and/or brain abnormalities associated with an opioid-related overdose in humans. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE and PsyINFO were searched, without year restrictions, and identified 3099 articles. An additional 24 articles were identified by reviewing references. Articles were included if they were published in English, reported study findings in humans, included individuals 18 years of age or older, and reported an objective measure of neurocognitive impairments and/or brain abnormalities resulting from an opioid-related overdose. Six domains of bias (selection, performance, attrition, detection (two dimensions) and reporting were evaluated and themes were summarized. RESULTS Seventy-nine journal articles, published between 1973-2020, were included in the review. More than half of the articles were case reports (n = 44) and there were 11 cohort studies, 18 case series, and 6 case-control studies. All of the studies were categorized as at-risk of bias, few controlled for confounding factors, and methodological differences made direct comparisons difficult. Less than half of the studies reported toxicology results confirming an opioid-related overdose; 64.6 % reported brain MRI results and 27.8 % reported results of neuropsychological testing. Only two studies had within subject comparative data to document changes in the brain possibly associated with an overdose. Despite these limitations, existing publications suggest that brain injuries and neurocognitive impairments are associated with opioid overdose. Additional research is needed to establish the incidence of overdose-related brain injuries and the potential impact on functioning, as well as engagement in treatment of substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS Respiratory depression is a defining characteristic of opioid overdose and prolonged cerebral hypoxia may cause brain injuries and/or neurocognitive impairments. The onset, characteristics, and duration of such injuries is variable and additional research is needed to understand their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L. Winstanley
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA,Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA,Corresponding author at: West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. (E.L. Winstanley)
| | - James J. Mahoney
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA,Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Felipe Castillo
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra D. Comer
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-second consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2019 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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8
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Zhang S, Wu S, Wu Q, Durkin DW, Marsiglia FF. Adolescent drug use initiation and transition into other drugs: A retrospective longitudinal examination across race/ethnicity. Addict Behav 2021; 113:106679. [PMID: 33032193 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding adolescent drug use mechanisms is critical for drug use prevention. Although some theories such as the gateway theory suggest that drug users gradually transition into using more addictive drugs, there is no consensus about such a hypothesis. One important factor that hinders the advancement of knowledge in this area is the scarcity of longitudinal studies examining the type of drugs adolescents initially use and the different pathways adolescents take to transition into using other drugs as they grow older. METHODS Using the pooled sample of adolescent dug users (14-17 years old; n = 10,644) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015-2018), we constructed longitudinal data on adolescents' illicit drug use history other than the use of tobacco and alcohol based on the age of drug initiation. This allowed us to investigate what drugs were initially used by adolescents, how the use of these drugs may have progressed into a new drug, and whether there were racial/ethnic differences in the initiation and progression. The retrospective longitudinal data analyses applied life table method and Cox regression models. RESULTS Two thirds of the adolescent drug users initiated their drug use trajectories with marijuana, one quarter with inhalants, and the remaining with hallucinogens, prescription drugs, and hard drugs. Adolescent drug users who initiated with different drugs showed unique trajectories to the use of a new drug. By year 8, the probability of using a new drug was about 40% and 70% to 80% for adolescents who initiated with inhalants and other drugs, respectively. The probability of using a new drug for adolescents who initiated with marijuana and inhalants accumulated stably over time, and its difference with that of other drug users diminished over time. The multivariate Cox regression models suggest the observed discrepancies generally held after controlling for covariates. There were also racial/ethnic differences in adolescent drug use initiation and progression, with Black/African American adolescents being the least likely to switch to the use of a new drug. CONCLUSION Adolescents' initial use of marijuana and inhalants may lead to substantial risks of using other drugs over time. It is therefore important to screen adolescent drug use comprehensively and provide early interventions to prevent an escalation to more detrimental drugs. The findings provide new evidence to support aspects of both the gateway and generalized risk drug use theories.
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Esser MB, Pickens CM, Guy GP, Evans ME. Binge Drinking, Other Substance Use, and Concurrent Use in the U.S., 2016-2018. Am J Prev Med 2021; 60:169-178. [PMID: 33482979 PMCID: PMC8908897 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of multiple substances heightens the risk of overdose. Multiple substances, including alcohol, are commonly found among people who experience overdose-related mortality. However, the associations between alcohol use and the use of a range of other substances are often not assessed. Therefore, this study examines the associations between drinking patterns (e.g., binge drinking) and other substance use in the U.S., the concurrent use of alcohol and prescription drug misuse, and how other substance use varies by binge-drinking frequency. METHODS Past 30-day alcohol and other substance use data from the 2016-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed in 2020 among 169,486 U.S. respondents aged ≥12 years. RESULTS The prevalence of other substance use ranged from 6.0% (nondrinkers) to 24.1% (binge drinkers). Among people who used substances, 22.2% of binge drinkers reported using substances in 2 additional substance categories. Binge drinking was associated with 4.2 (95% CI=3.9, 4.4) greater adjusted odds of other substance use than nondrinking. Binge drinkers were twice as likely to report concurrent prescription drug misuse while drinking as nonbinge drinkers. The prevalence of substance use increased with binge-drinking frequency. CONCLUSIONS Binge drinking was associated with other substance use and concurrent prescription drug misuse while drinking. These findings can guide the implementation of a comprehensive approach to prevent binge drinking, substance misuse, and overdoses. This might include population-level strategies recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force to prevent binge drinking (e.g., increasing alcohol taxes and regulating alcohol outlet density).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa B Esser
- Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Cassandra M Pickens
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gery P Guy
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mary E Evans
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Xu KY, Presnall N, Mintz CM, Borodovsky JT, Bhat NR, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA. Association of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment With Alcohol-Related Acute Events. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e210061. [PMID: 33625511 PMCID: PMC7905500 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) and co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) are understudied and undertreated. It is unknown whether the use of medications to treat OUD is associated with reduced risk of alcohol-related morbidity. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the use of OUD medications is associated with decreased risk for alcohol-related falls, injuries, and poisonings in persons with OUD with and without co-occurring AUD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This recurrent-event, case-control, cohort study used prescription claims from IBM MarketScan insurance databases from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2016. The sample included persons aged 12 to 64 years in the US with an OUD diagnosis and taking OUD medication who had at least 1 alcohol-related admission. The unit of observation was person-day. Data analysis was performed from June 26 through September 28, 2020. EXPOSURES Days of active OUD medication prescriptions, with either agonist (ie, buprenorphine or methadone) or antagonist (ie, oral or extended-release naltrexone) treatments compared with days without OUD prescriptions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was admission for any acute alcohol-related event defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes. Conditional logistic regression was used to compare OUD medication use between days with and without an alcohol-related event. Stratified analyses were conducted between patients with OUD with and without a recent AUD diagnostic code. RESULTS There were 8 424 214 person-days of observation time among 13 335 participants who received OUD medications and experienced an alcohol-related admission (mean [SD] age, 33.1 [13.1] years; 5884 female participants [44.1%]). Agonist treatments (buprenorphine and methadone) were associated with reductions in the odds of any alcohol-related acute event compared with nontreatment days, with a 43% reduction for buprenorphine (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.52-0.61) and a 66% reduction for methadone (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.26-0.45). The antagonist treatment naltrexone was associated with reductions in alcohol-related acute events compared with nonmedication days, with a 37% reduction for extended-release naltrexone (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.52-0.76) and a 16% reduction for oral naltrexone (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76-0.93). Naltrexone use was more prevalent among patients with OUD with recent AUD claims than their peers without AUD claims. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that OUD medication is associated with fewer admissions for alcohol-related acute events in patients with OUD with co-occurring AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. Xu
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Ned Presnall
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Carrie M. Mintz
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Jacob T. Borodovsky
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
- Now with Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Nisha R. Bhat
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Laura J. Bierut
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Richard A. Grucza
- Health and Behavior Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Louis University, St Louis, Missouri
- Department of Health and Clinical Outcomes Research, St Louis University, St Louis, Missouri
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11
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Winstanley EL. The Bell Tolls for Thee & Thine: Compassion Fatigue & the Overdose Epidemic. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 85:102796. [PMID: 32499119 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Non-fatal and fatal overdoses are traumatic events that have been increasing over the past 20 years and disproportionately impacting rural communities in the United States. The human suffering caused by the opioid epidemic is rarely described in the empirical literature. The purpose of this article is to 1) define individual- and community-level overdose-related compassion fatigue (OCF), 2) review measurement of compassion fatigue (CF) and interventions to reduce CF, 3) discuss strategies that may reduce OCF and 4) briefly discuss policy implications. OCF is distress resulting from knowledge of or exposure to overdose-related harms, which at the community-level may prohibit collaboration and adaptive agency to effectively respond. When OCF occurs at a community-level, it could have negative consequences by eroding support for evidence-based services and fueling stigma-driven policies that blame people who use drugs. Empathy underlies both OCF and vicarious resilience by allowing one to understand the suffering caused by overdose deaths and to witness the joy of addiction recovery. Using the risk environment framework, OCF at the micro- and macro-levels of the social environment, may increase rural communities' vulnerability to harm by emphasizing individual responsibility for reducing overdoses rather than community-level infrastructure and resource management. Additional research is needed to develop a measure of OCF and to confirm whether OCF is associated with increased stigma and decreased support for harm reduction in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Winstanley
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
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