Historique
Article de Périodique
Factors contributing to the rise of buprenorphine misuse: 2008-2013 (2014)
Auteur(s) :
T. J. CICERO ;
M. S. ELLIS ;
H. L. SURRATT ;
S. P. KURTZ
Article en page(s) :
98-104
Domaine :
Autres substances / Other substances ; Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Thésaurus géographique
ETATS-UNIS
Thésaurus mots-clés
EVOLUTION
;
BUPRENORPHINE
;
OPIOIDES
;
MESUSAGE
;
MOTIVATION
;
ETUDE QUALITATIVE
;
HEROINE
;
INJECTION
Résumé :
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the motivations underlying the use of buprenorphine outside of therapeutic channels and the factors that might account for the reported rapid increase in buprenorphine misuse in recent years.
Methods: This study used: (1) a mixed methods approach consisting of a structured, self-administered survey (N = 10,568) and reflexive, qualitative interviews (N = 208) among patients entering substance abuse treatment programs for opioid dependence across the country, centered on opioid misuse patterns and related behaviors; and (2) interviews with 30 law enforcement agencies nationwide about primary diverted drugs in their jurisdictions.
Results: Our results demonstrate that the misuse of buprenorphine has increased substantially in the last 5 years, particularly amongst past month heroin users. Our quantitative and qualitative data suggest that the recent increases in buprenorphine misuse are due primarily to the fact that it serves a variety of functions for the opioid-abusing population: to get high, manage withdrawal sickness, as a substitute for more preferred drugs, to treat pain, manage psychiatric issues and as a self-directed effort to wean themselves off opioids.
Conclusion: The non-therapeutic use of buprenorphine has risen dramatically in the past five years, particularly in those who also use heroin. However, it appears that buprenorphine is rarely preferred for its inherent euphorigenic properties, but rather serves as a substitute for other drugs, particularly heroin, or as a drug used, preferable to methadone, to self-medicate withdrawal sickness or wean off opioids.
Methods: This study used: (1) a mixed methods approach consisting of a structured, self-administered survey (N = 10,568) and reflexive, qualitative interviews (N = 208) among patients entering substance abuse treatment programs for opioid dependence across the country, centered on opioid misuse patterns and related behaviors; and (2) interviews with 30 law enforcement agencies nationwide about primary diverted drugs in their jurisdictions.
Results: Our results demonstrate that the misuse of buprenorphine has increased substantially in the last 5 years, particularly amongst past month heroin users. Our quantitative and qualitative data suggest that the recent increases in buprenorphine misuse are due primarily to the fact that it serves a variety of functions for the opioid-abusing population: to get high, manage withdrawal sickness, as a substitute for more preferred drugs, to treat pain, manage psychiatric issues and as a self-directed effort to wean themselves off opioids.
Conclusion: The non-therapeutic use of buprenorphine has risen dramatically in the past five years, particularly in those who also use heroin. However, it appears that buprenorphine is rarely preferred for its inherent euphorigenic properties, but rather serves as a substitute for other drugs, particularly heroin, or as a drug used, preferable to methadone, to self-medicate withdrawal sickness or wean off opioids.
Affiliation :
Washington University, Department of Psychiatry, St. Louis, MO, USA