Abstract
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, and Treatment Episodes Data Set data, we conducted a case-control study of individuals reporting heroin initiation between 2015 and 2017 during treatment intake. Prescription drug monitoring program data provided prescription opioid use patterns, including long-term prescription opioid therapy, in the year before 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 before 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 = 1224). 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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 130-133 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of addiction medicine |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2021 |
Keywords
- heroin
- opioid use disorder
- prescription opioids
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)