1
|
Bunting AM, Shearer R, Linden-Carmichael AN, Williams AR, Comer SD, Cerdá M, Lorvick J. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Defining what we mean by "polysubstance use.". THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2024; 50:1-7. [PMID: 37734160 PMCID: PMC10939915 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2248360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The rise in drug overdoses and harms associated with the use of more than one substance has led to increased use of the term "polysubstance use" among researchers, clinicians, and public health officials. However, the term retains no consistent definition across contexts. The current authors convened from disciplines including sociology, epidemiology, neuroscience, and addiction psychiatry to propose a recommended definition of polysubstance use. An iterative process considered authors' formal and informal conversations, insights from relevant symposia, talks, and conferences, as well as their own research and clinical experiences to propose the current definition. Three key concepts were identified as necessary to define polysubstance use: (1) substances involved, (2) timing, and (3) intent. Substances involved include clarifying either (1) the number and type of substances used, (2) presence of more than one substance use disorder, or (3) primary and secondary substance use. The concept of timing is recommended to use clear terms such as simultaneous, sequential, and same-day polysubstance use to describe short-term behaviors (e.g., 30-day windows). Finally, the concept of intent refers to clarifying unintentional use or exposure when possible, and greater attention to motivations of polysubstance use. These three components should be clearly defined in research on polysubstance use to improve consistency across disciplines. Consistent definitions of polysubstance use can aid in the synthesis of evidence to better address an overdose crisis that increasingly involves multiple substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Bunting
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Riley Shearer
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ashley N Linden-Carmichael
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Arthur Robin Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra D Comer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Lorvick
- Community Health and Implementation Research Program, RTI International, Berkeley, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Summers NA, Colasanti JA, Feaster DJ, Armstrong WS, Rodriguez A, Jain MK, Jacobs P, Metsch LR, del Rio C. Predictors for Poor Linkage to Care Among Hospitalized Persons Living with HIV and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:406-414. [PMID: 31914790 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2019.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Persons living with HIV (PLWH) with substance use disorders (SUD) remain a population difficult to engage in HIV care. Project HOPE (Hospital Visits as an Opportunity for Prevention and Engagement), a randomized controlled trial testing patient navigation with/without contingency management for PLWH with SUD, aimed to address this disparity. PLWH with SUD who were out of care were recruited from 11 hospitals across the United States from 2012 to 2014. Baseline socioeconomic factors, medical mistrust scores, and perceived discrimination surveys were collected at enrollment and evaluated for effects on linkage to care at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Linkage to care (attending an outpatient visit for HIV care), early linkage to care (attending first visit within 30 days of enrollment), and engagement in care (two HIV visits within the 6-month period) were determined by medical record abstraction, supplemented by self-report. Among 801 participants enrolled in the study (mean age 45 years, 33% women, and 73% African American), those who did not complete high school and with severe food insecurity had lower odds of being linked to care at 6 months. Those with high levels of medical mistrust, recent drug use, and who did not complete high school had lower odds of early linkage to care. Early linkage was associated with higher odds of engagement at 6 months and was mitigated by both patient navigator interventions (all p < .05). Addressing social determinants of health is critical to correct the disparity seen in HIV outcomes among PLWH with SUD. Identifying factors that alter the effect of interventions could help identify patients who would benefit most.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A. Summers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Colasanti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Infectious Diseases Program, Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Daniel J. Feaster
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Wendy S. Armstrong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Infectious Diseases Program, Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Allan Rodriguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mamta K. Jain
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Petra Jacobs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa R. Metsch
- Infectious Diseases Program, Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia Millner School of Public Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Carlos del Rio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brown SE, Krishnan A, Ranjit YS, Marcus R, Altice FL. Assessing mobile health feasibility and acceptability among HIV-infected cocaine users and their healthcare providers: guidance for implementing an intervention. Mhealth 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 32190615 PMCID: PMC7063267 DOI: 10.21037/mhealth.2019.09.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) can provide innovative, cost-effective strategies to improve medication adherence and optimize HIV treatment outcomes. Very little, however, is known about the acceptability and feasibility of mHealth among people with HIV (PWH) who use drugs. Our study objective was to assess feasibility, acceptability, and barriers and facilitators of implementing an mHealth intervention among PWH who are cocaine users, a group for whom no pharmacological treatment to reduce cocaine use is available. METHODS Five focus groups (FGs) (N=20) were conducted with PWH who self-reported cocaine use in the past 30 days, with 3 groups (N=8) of healthcare providers. Topics included previous experience with smartphones; barriers and facilitators of mobile technology for health purposes; and attitudes toward receiving types of feedback about adherence. RESULTS Patients preferred text reminders over phone calls for reasons of privacy, accessibility and economizing phone minutes. Direct communication via text messages and phone calls was considered more appropriate for social workers and case managers, who have greater frequency of communication and deeper relationships with patients, and less so for doctors, who see patients less regularly than community health workers. Patients seem particular about who has what information, and overall, they seem to prefer that their medical information, especially HIV-related, stay within the confines of patient-provider relationships. CONCLUSIONS HIV still provokes stigma and makes health information particularly sensitive for both providers and patients. The rise of mobile technology and related applications such as mHealth, means that new norms have to be established for its use. Participants' suggestions and feedback informed the design of a subsequent mHealth pilot randomized control trial to improve medication adherence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Estelle Brown
- Department of Anthropology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Archana Krishnan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Yerina S. Ranjit
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Communication, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ruthanne Marcus
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lorvick J, Browne EN, Lambdin BH, Comfort M. Polydrug use patterns, risk behavior and unmet healthcare need in a community-based sample of women who use cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Addict Behav 2018; 85:94-99. [PMID: 29883856 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of multiple illicit drugs (polydrug use) is associated with health-related harms and elevated risk of drug overdose. Polydrug use in common among women who use 'hard' drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. METHODS Quantitative data collection was conducted with a community-recruited sample of 624 women who used heroin, methamphetamine or cocaine in Oakland, CA during 2014-2015. We conducted latent class analysis to classify polydrug use patterns. We assessed associations between classes of polydrug use and infectious disease risk behaviors, health care utilization and unmet health care need. RESULTS We identified four distinct classes of drug use: (1) predominantly crack (52% of women); (2) powder cocaine & non-heroin opioids (8%); (3) moderate polydrug use (25%); (4) heavy polydrug use (15%). Odds of sexual risk, injection drug use and unmet healthcare need were twice as high in the heavy polydrug use class as the predominantly crack class (p > 0.01 for each outcome). The rate of binge drinking (as days per month) was also significantly higher in the heavy polydrug class (p = 0.01). The moderate polydrug use class had higher odds of injection drug use and drug treatment participation, compared to the mainly crack class (p < 0.001 for each outcome). There were no differences between classes in health insurance or health care utilization. DISCUSSION Reduction of polydrug use could be an effective harm reduction strategy to address sexual and injection risk among women. The use of both opioids and stimulants in three of the four classes suggests that multi-modal substance abuse treatment approaches may be most appropriate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lorvick
- RTI International, Behavioral and Urban Health Program, United States.
| | - Erica N Browne
- RTI International, Women's Global Health Imperative, United States
| | - Barrot H Lambdin
- RTI International, Behavioral and Urban Health Program, United States; University of Washington, United States
| | - Megan Comfort
- RTI International, Behavioral and Urban Health Program, United States; University of California, San Francisco, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Carter A, Roth EA, Ding E, Milloy MJ, Kestler M, Jabbari S, Webster K, de Pokomandy A, Loutfy M, Kaida A. Substance Use, Violence, and Antiretroviral Adherence: A Latent Class Analysis of Women Living with HIV in Canada. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:971-985. [PMID: 28733919 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1863-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We used latent class analysis to identify substance use patterns for 1363 women living with HIV in Canada and assessed associations with socio-economic marginalization, violence, and sub-optimal adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). A six-class model was identified consisting of: abstainers (26.3%), Tobacco Users (8.81%), Alcohol Users (31.9%), 'Socially Acceptable' Poly-substance Users (13.9%), Illicit Poly-substance Users (9.81%) and Illicit Poly-substance Users of All Types (9.27%). Multinomial logistic regression showed that women experiencing recent violence had significantly higher odds of membership in all substance use latent classes, relative to Abstainers, while those reporting sub-optimal cART adherence had higher odds of being members of the poly-substance use classes only. Factors significantly associated with Illicit Poly-substance Users of All Types were sexual minority status, lower income, and lower resiliency. Findings underline a need for increased social and structural supports for women who use substances to support them in leading safe and healthy lives with HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison Carter
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric Abella Roth
- Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Erin Ding
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mary Kestler
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women's Health Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shahab Jabbari
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kath Webster
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Alexandra de Pokomandy
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mona Loutfy
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall Room 10522, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
|
7
|
Dawson-Rose C, Draughon JE, Zepf R, Cuca YP, Huang E, Freeborn K, Lum PJ. Prevalence of Substance Use in an HIV Primary Care Safety Net Clinic: A Call for Screening. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2017; 28:238-249. [PMID: 26763795 PMCID: PMC4903083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Substance use complicates HIV care and prevention. Primary care clinics are an ideal setting to screen for and offer interventions for unhealthy alcohol and drug use; however, few HIV clinics routinely screen for substance use. We enrolled 208 clinic patients at an urban underserved HIV primary care clinic. We screened the patients for substance use with the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Score Test and measured urine toxicology. Of the 168 participants who completed screening, the majority reported tobacco or nonprescribed substance use in the previous 3 months. More African American participants reported low or no risk amphetamine use compared to Hispanic, White, or Other race participants (p < .001). Implementing standard clinic practice for screening and assessing substance use in HIV primary care clinics is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carol Dawson-Rose
- A Professor, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California, USA ()
| | - Jessica E. Draughon
- A Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Roland Zepf
- A Doctoral Student, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yvette P. Cuca
- A Sociologist/Project Director, University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emily Huang
- A Project Coordinator, University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kellie Freeborn
- A Predoctoral Scholar, University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Paula J. Lum
- A Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Riley ED, Hsue PY, Vittinghoff E, Wu AHB, Coffin PO, Moore PK, Lynch KL. Higher prevalence of detectable troponin I among cocaine-users without known cardiovascular disease. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 172:88-93. [PMID: 28157591 PMCID: PMC5464776 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While cocaine use is an established risk factor for acute cardiovascular complications, associations between cocaine use and markers of cardiac injury outside of acute hospital presentation remain poorly characterized. We leveraged advances in cardiac troponin (cTnI) testing to assess low but clinically meaningful levels of cardiac injury among cocaine users and non-users. METHODS We conducted a case control study comparing cTnI levels by the presence of cocaine among patients presenting for non-cardiac care in an urban safety net hospital. Samples were chosen sequentially among those for which urine drug screens were ordered by providers hospital-wide. RESULTS During 2015, 14% of all hospital drug screens ordered were cocaine-positive. Among unique persons providing cocaine-positive (N=100) and cocaine-negative (N=100) samples, 37% were female, 45% were African-American and the median age was 51. Detectable cTnI (> 0.02ng/mL) was observed in 21 samples (11%). It was more common in subjects using cocaine (Adjusted OR=2.81; 95% CI=1.03-7.65), but not other drugs. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between concentrations of cTnI and the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine (Spearman Correlation=0.34, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Among urban safety net hospital patients, 11% had detectable cTnI, and cTnI concentration was significantly correlated with benzoylecgonine concentration. While these preliminary results require additional confirmation, they suggest the potential utility of considering cocaine use as more than just an episodic exposure leading to acute cardiac events. The consideration of cocaine use as an ongoing chronic exposure leading to subclinical cardiac injury may improve risk-stratification and patient outcomes in populations where cocaine use is high.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise D Riley
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Priscilla Y Hsue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Vittinghoff
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alan H B Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, SanFrancisco, CA, USA
| | - Phillip O Coffin
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter K Moore
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kara L Lynch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, SanFrancisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Graves SK, Little SJ, Hoenigl M. Risk profile and HIV testing outcomes of women undergoing community-based testing in San Diego 2008-2014. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42183. [PMID: 28165056 PMCID: PMC5292713 DOI: 10.1038/srep42183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Women comprised 19% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2014, with significant racial and ethnic disparities in infection rates. This cross-sectional analysis of women enrolled in a cohort study compares demographics, risk behaviour, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in those undergoing HIV testing in San Diego County. Data from the most recent screening visit of women undergoing voluntary HIV screening April 2008 -July 2014 was used. HIV diagnosis, risk behaviour and self-reported STIs were compared among women aged ≤24, 25-49, and ≥50, as well as between HIV-infected and uninfected women and between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. Among the 2535 women included, Hispanic women were less likely than other women to report unprotected vaginal intercourse (p = 0.026) or stimulant drug use (p = 0.026), and more likely to report one or fewer partners (p < 0.0001), but also more likely to report sex with an HIV-infected individual (p = 0.027). New HIV infection was significantly more prevalent among Hispanic women (1.6% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001). Hispanic women were more likely than other women to be diagnosed with HIV despite significantly lower rates of risk behaviour. Culturally specific risk reduction interventions for Hispanic women should focus on awareness of partner risk and appropriate testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susannah K. Graves
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Susan J. Little
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|