Concurrent drug use among methadone maintenance patients in mountainous areas in northern Vietnam

ObjectivesWith the rise in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) for drug users in Vietnam, there has been growing interest in understanding if and how often MMT patients engage in concurrent illicit drug use while on methadone therapy in various settings. This study examined factors associated with concurrent opioid use among patients on MMT in a mountainous area in Vietnam.SettingOne urban and one rural MMT clinics in Tuyen Quang province.ParticipantsSurvey participants consisted of patients who were taking MMT at the selected study sites. A convenience sampling approach was used to recruit the participants.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants were asked a series of questions about their socioeconomic status, current alcohol and tobacco use, health problems (measured by the EuroQol-Five Dimension-Five Level instrument), psychological distress (measured by Kessler score), and factors associated with current and/or previous drug use. Regression models were used to determine factors associated with concurrent drug use among MMT patients.ResultsAmong the 241 male MMT patients included in the study, 13.4% reported concurrent opioid use. On average, the longer patients had been enrolled in MMT, the less likely they were to concurrently use drugs. Conversely, patients with higher levels of psychological distress were more likely to engage in concurrent drug use while on MMT.ConclusionLonger duration of MMT was significantly correlated with reduced illicit drug use among participants. Higher levels of psychological distress were associated with increased use of illicit drugs among MMT patients. Regardless of distance, long-term MMT is still effective and should be expanded in mountainous areas.

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Risk Factors Associated with Alcohol, Cigarette, and Illicit Drug Use Among Pregnant Women

Journal of Social Service Research ◽

10.1300/j079v32n04_01 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 1-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chien-Chung Huang ◽

Robert J. Reid

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Drug Use ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Factors Associated

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Treatment patterns in women seeking care for endometriosis at an endometriosis center

Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders ◽

10.1177/22840265211045606 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 228402652110456

Author(s):

Katharine E Linder ◽

Tatnai L Burnett ◽

Chia-Sui Weng ◽

Zaraq Khan ◽

Kristin Mara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Pelvic Pain ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Surgical Excision ◽

Hormonal Contraceptives ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Prior Surgery

Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and prior medical and surgical treatments in women undergoing surgical excision of endometriosis for pelvic pain at a single institution. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we identified 140 women with pathology-proven endometriosis who completed a preoperative standardized pain form and underwent surgery at an endometriosis center. Women were stratified into three groups for analysis: no prior surgery, 1 prior surgery, and 2+ prior surgeries. Results: The most common treatments used prior to seeking care were hormonal contraceptives (51.6%) and surgery (46.1%). More than half of women were diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction at time of presentation or prior to consultation. There was a significant relationship between an increasing number of surgeries (none vs 1 vs 2+) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist use (19.0% vs 27.5% vs 56.0%, p = 0.003). Though not significant, a trend was noted between increasing surgeries and opioid use (20.6% vs 30.0% vs 40.0%, p = 0.17). There was a statistically significant relationship between multiple surgeries and illicit drug use ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with pelvic pain and endometriosis who have undergone multiple surgeries are more likely to have used GnRH agonists and report illicit drug use prior to presenting to specialized care.

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Use of illicit drugs by adolescents and young adults of an urban settlement in Brazil

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1806-9282.64.02.114 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 114-118

Author(s):

Rafael Alves Guimarães ◽

Márcia Maria de Souza ◽

Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano ◽

Sheila Araujo Teles ◽

Marcos André de Matos

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Self Report ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urban Settlement ◽

Factors Associated

Summary Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug use by adolescents and young adults of a formal urban settlement. Method: Cross-sectional study including adolescents and young adults 12-24 years of an urban settlement in the Midwest Region of Brazil. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata, version 12.0. We used Poisson regression model to estimate the factors associated with illicit drug use. Results: Of the total participants (n=105), 27.6% (95CI 20.0-36.9%) had used illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, LSD and inhalants. The consumption of these substances was associated with male gender, use of body piercing and/or tattoos, licit drug use and self-report of signs and/or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: High prevalence of illicit drug use was found in the individuals investigated, ratifying the presence of risk factors to the vulnerability of the settlers to use these substances in the urban settlement population.

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The Effects of Methadone Maintenance with Opioid Takers: A Review and Some Findings from One British City

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.132.5.473 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 132 (5) ◽

pp. 473-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Roger Paxton ◽

Patrick Mullin ◽

Jack Beattie

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Methadone Maintenance ◽

Criminal Activity ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Work Status ◽

Methadone Group ◽

Firm Evidence

SummaryVarious benefits claimed for methadone maintenance in the treatment of opioid drug takers are reviewed. It is said to stop illicit drug use, maintain treatment contact, reduce morbidity, mortality and crime, and improve social adjustment. Little firm evidence is found to support these claims. Results are reported comparing 26 drug takers on methadone prescriptions with 16 illicit opioid takers. The measures used are Stimson's (1972) ‘Patterns of Behaviour’ questionnaire, and direct behavioural measures of social functioning. The groups are found not to differ in terms of treatment contact, work status and involvement with other drug takers. There is some evidence that the methadone group is involved in less criminal activity. However, no association is found between amounts of drugs prescribed and numbers of local pharmacy thefts. It is concluded that the benefits of methadone maintenance have been exaggerated.

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Rehab, respite and recovery: the experiences of methadone users in a modified therapeutic community (MTC) in Scotland

Therapeutic Communities The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities ◽

10.1108/tc-08-2014-0028 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 124-136

Author(s):

Iain McPhee ◽

Denice Fenton

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Service Providers ◽

Therapeutic Community ◽

Methadone Maintenance ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Cultural Norms ◽

Service Users ◽

Content Type ◽

Rich Data

Purpose – There is limited research documenting recovery experiences of residential service users. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions service users on methadone have about recovery. In depth, semi structured 1-1 interviews with seven poly drug using homeless males between the ages of 37 and 46 and analysed using NVivo software. Results are presented thematically. Participants conform to “recovery” norms allowing stigma and shame of illicit drug use to be attributed to former addict identities. Participants on methadone maintenance report inner conflict arising from changing societal and cultural norms that equate recovery with abstinence. Tensions were revealed in true motivations for active rather than passive participation in adopting group work norms. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative design utilises small numbers of participants to gather rich data. In depth, semi structured 1-1 interviews conducted with seven poly drug using homeless males who have completed between ten and 15 weeks of a minimum 26-week residential treatment programme. Participants were aged 37-46. Results were analysed thematically using NVivo software. Findings – Participants conform to “recovery” norms allowing stigma and shame of illicit drug use to be attributed to a former stigmatised addict identity. Participants on methadone maintenance report inner conflict arising from changing societal and cultural norms regards recovery and abstinence. A significant process of recovery involved adopting the norms of 12-step groups and TC therapy to gain enough trust to leave the therapeutic community (TC) unsupervised. This created tension regards motivation, were these individuals in recovery, or merely “faking it”? Research limitations/implications – A female perspective may have provided a more balanced discussion and yielded greater depth in results. Only one service was studied and the findings may be specific to that cohort. The duration of stay at the service of ten to 15 weeks is a relatively short time and excluded participants resident for six months or more. Longer term residents may have been more reflective and informative. Practical implications – Encourage active options and increased debate on the variety of treatment options available to long term homeless opiate users who have failed to comply with previous treatments. While this is a small modest study, the rich data yields practical advice for policy makers and service providers. Social implications – This research study adds to an informed perspective by encouraging debate on methadone as a challenge to definitions of recovery that infer abstinence as a key definition of success. Originality/value – There is a paucity of research documenting a Scottish TC service user perspective using qualitative methods on experiences of addiction, treatment and recovery.

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Contracting for treatment termination to reduce illicit drug use among methadone maintenance treatment failures.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1037/0022-006x.53.4.549 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 549-551 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Michael P. Dolan ◽

John L. Black ◽

Walter E. Penk ◽

Ralph Robinowitz ◽

Horace A. DeFord

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Methadone Maintenance Treatment ◽

Maintenance Treatment ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Methadone Maintenance ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Treatment Termination

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To What Extent Does Illicit Drug Use Predispose to Facial Injury? An Institutional Investigation for an Emergent Problem

Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction ◽

10.1177/1943387520928637 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 194338752092863

Author(s):

Anthony Febbo ◽

Gary R. Hoffman

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Predictor Variable ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Facial Trauma ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Facial Injury

Study Design: There are potential substantive linkages between illicit drug use and the occurrence of injury. Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence, class of illicit drugs abused, and demographics in relation to a cohort of patients who sustained facial injury. Methods: The authors undertook a retrospective observational study of a prospectively accessioned cohort of patients who had sustained a facial injury and presented to the John Hunter Hospital (Newcastle, NSW, Australia). The primary predictor variable was the presentation of a facial injury and the secondary outcome variables included illicit drug use, alcohol use, and socioeconomic factors. The study was carried out over a 12-month period. A descriptive analysis was undertaken on the assembled data. Results: Of the 465 patient medical records that were accessed for the study, 348 were male and 117 were female. Their average age was 42.6 years: 5.8% ( n = 27) were under the influence of illicit drugs at the time of their presentation and 13.1% ( n = 61) admitted to an intercurrent illicit drug habit. Those who were under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs comprised of 2.8% ( n = 13). Conclusions: Our study found that illicit drug use plays a small, but nonetheless, demonstrable role in the presentation of maxillofacial trauma patients to an urban level I trauma center. Illicit drug users are an emergent sociodemographic group of patients who can sustain facial trauma and their presentation needs to be appropriately considered, assessed, and managed collectively.

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