Drug and alcohol review
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Drug and alcohol review · May 2016
Multicenter StudyThe hidden costs of drug and alcohol use in hospital emergency departments.
This study estimates the burden of drug and alcohol morbidity on hospitals in New South Wales (NSW) by observing a multi-site collective sample utilising survey information and data linkage. Specifically we aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems and to estimate patterns of utilisation of hospital services, costs of presentations, and admissions for patients with AOD problems. ⋯ This study demonstrates a need for AOD interventions in the emergency department setting, both because it represents an opportunity for intervention in a population in which problems with substance use is highly prevalent, and because there is evidence that AOD imposes additional costs on the health system. [Butler K, Reeve R, Arora S, Viney R, Goodall S, van Gool K, Burns L. The hidden costs of drug and alcohol use in hospital emergency departments. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:359-366].
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyType of opioids injected: does it matter? A multicentric cross-sectional study of people who inject drugs.
Injecting pharmaceutical opioids for non-medical purposes is a major concern globally. Though pharmaceutical opioids injection is reported in India, the exact proportion of people who inject drugs (PWID) using pharmaceutical opioids is unknown. The objectives of this study were to describe the various types of drugs that are injected by people in India and to analyse the differences between the commonly injected drugs. ⋯ Pharmaceutical opioids are the most common drugs injected in India currently and have greater injection-related risks and complications. Significant differences exist between different pharmaceutical opioids, which would be important considerations for interventions.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2014
Multicenter StudyViolence-related injury and gender: the role of alcohol and alcohol combined with illicit drugs.
The positive relationship between alcohol use, gender and violence-related injury is well established. However, less is known about injuries when alcohol is used in combination with other drugs. ⋯ The positive association between alcohol and violent injury does not appear to be altered by the added use of drugs. Additional work is needed to understand the interpersonal, contextual and cultural factors related to substance use to identify best prevention practices and develop appropriate policies.
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Drug and alcohol review · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyRegaining control: the patient experience of supervised compared with unsupervised consumption in opiate substitution treatment.
Supervised consumption of opiate substitution treatment is standard practice in the UK yet little is known about the patient experience of this treatment modality. This study aimed to assess the patient experience of receiving supervised compared with unsupervised consumption of methadone or buprenorphine. ⋯ This study provides an important patient perspective and is the first in-depth qualitative investigation directly comparing supervision with unsupervised treatment to consider both patient and professional perspectives. Overall, our qualitative findings suggest that flexibly timed discontinuation of supervision may have positive benefits.
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Drug and alcohol review · Sep 2013
Multicenter StudyCorrelates of pain in an in-treatment sample of opioid-dependent people.
The limited literature on pain in opioid-treatment samples indicates that it is highly prevalent. Understanding the implications of pain on treatment outcomes is important, particularly in light of ageing opioid-treatment cohorts. This study explores correlates of pain, including aberrant behaviours related to prescribed opioids. Our hypothesis is that pain may increase aberrant opioid-related behaviours, including illicit substance use, among opioid-dependent people. ⋯ The lack of association with pain and aberrant behaviours suggest that it should not be assumed that those in opioid treatment misuse medications in response to pain. The high prevalence of depression/anxiety symptoms indicates a need for further work with larger samples to explore pain and co-morbidity among opioid-dependent people.