Illicit Drug Use Correlates with Negative Urine
Drug Test Results for Prescribed Hydrocodone,
Oxycodone, and Morphine

Background: A number of studies indicate that 10.8% - 34% of patients with chronic pain use illicit drugs. One hypothesis for this occurrence is that some patients may be supplementing their prescription medications with illicit drugs. Objective: The primary purpose of this retrospective data analysis was to test the hypothesis that people whose urine specimens are positive for the medications that have been listed as being prescribed to them are positive for fewer illicit substances than those whose specimens were negative for their prescribed medications. The secondary purpose of the study was to correlate the use of illicit drugs and the amount of prescribed medications excreted in urine. Study Design: A retrospective study of the incidence of patients using illicit drugs versus their consistency with reported medications. Methods: Using urine specimens from a cohort of nearly 400,000 patients whose identities had been redacted, and who were being treated for chronic pain with opioid therapy, this study was performed to correlate the patients’ positivity with their prescribed medication to the prevalence of illicit substance use. A secondary study was conducted to correlate the amount of prescribed medication excreted in urine (measured in ng/mL) with the incidence of illicit drug use. The specific prescription medications analyzed were hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone. Results: Specimens defined as negative for prescribed hydrocodone (27.3%), morphine (11.5%) or oxycodone (19%) were more likely to contain illicit drugs than those found to be positive for the prescribed medication. The illicit drug prevalence among the inconsistent specimens was 15.3% for hydrocodone, 23.8% for morphine, and 24.4% for oxycodone. The secondary study showed no statistically significant difference in the excretion level of prescribed medication between those patients using and not using illicit drugs. Limitations: The study is limited in that no data was obtained to determine the causal relationships of illicit drug use. Conclusions: This work supports the hypothesis that people who are positive for their prescribed medications use fewer illicit drugs than those who do not take their medications. It may be beneficial for physicians to test more thoroughly for illicit drugs when patients’ drug tests are negative for their prescribed medications. Key words: Patients with pain, illicit drug use, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone.:

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Illicit Drug Use by Adolescents: A Public Perception of Influencing Factors in Owerri, Nigeria

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38029/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Udochukwu Ugochukwu Ogu ◽

Nkoli Ezumah ◽

Aloysius Odii

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Peer Influence ◽

Public Perception ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Peer Pressure ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Level Of Education ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Illicit drug use among adolescents has become a social menace which cuts across all social strata. This study explored public perception of factors that influence illicit drug use among adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The study adopted a mixed method approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was carried out in Owerri metropolis of Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 10 communities were selected randomly, they included four communities from the 16 communities that make up Owerri West, five communities from the 18 communities that make up Owerri North and one community from the five communities that make up Owerri Municipal. The research instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and in-depth interview guide.Results: Our quantitative study found that 50.7% of the respondents, from across the three areas in Owerri metropolis, asserted that peer influence, emotional problems, relationship problems, wanting to feel ‘high’ are factors influencing adolescent consumption of illicit drugs whereas the qualitative study found family background, unique experience such as the death of a loved one, affliction or misfortune as factors influencing adolescents’ illicit drug use. The quantitative results showed that persons with higher level of education are more likely than those with lower level of education to perceive a significant difference in drug use between in – school and out – of – school adolescents. Conclusions: Peer pressure was identified as a major factor and it was also identified as rivaling the family in terms of influence.

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International Multicenter Study on Drug Consumption in Nursing Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9526

Author(s):

José Antonio Ponce-Blandón ◽

José Manuel Martínez-Montilla ◽

Manuel Pabón-Carrasco ◽

Raúl Martos-García ◽

Aurora Castro-Méndez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Nursing Schools ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

Background: The prevalence of illicit drug use among young people is high, with many being highly vulnerable to substance abuse. The nursing profession is not immune to the impacts of substance misuse. Knowing the current levels of consumption of illicit drugs in nursing students will allow for the introduction of preventive actions. Methods: Multi-center, descriptive, and cross-sectional study involving nursing schools from four different countries (Spain, Belgium, France, and Brazil). A total of seven centers participated. An adapted version of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was used as a tool, which selected only the module on illicit drugs. Standard logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 496 nursing students participated in the study. Illicit drug shows positive representation among nursing students. A significant difference was observed between the gender and the age of first drug use, illicit drug consumption, cannabis use, and cocaine use ever in life, with higher use of illicit drugs by male, although at later ages than girls. The bivariate analysis, gender, problems as result of drugs, and nationality were significantly associated with the consumption of illicit drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy ever in life. Conclusions: High rates of illicit drug use were found among nursing students, as well as factors that can influence consumption such as nationality or gender. These results can serve as a basis for the development of educational and policy interventions within nursing schools that are based on evidence, with significant implications for nurse educators, academic administrators, and practice.

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Fire on the Mountain: Reinvigorating Legislative Measures to Quench the Flame of Illicit Drug Use in South Africa

Asian Journal of Interdisciplinary Research ◽

10.34256/ajir2032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 15-29

Author(s):

Sogo Angel Olofinbiyi ◽

Thembelihle Mtambo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Drug Use ◽

South African ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Critical Discussion ◽

African Government ◽

Clear Cut ◽

Legislative Measures

South African societies have been characterized by the prolific incidence of illicit drug use in recent times. The paper attempts to examine the legislations implemented on the use of illicit drugs in South Africa. The study adopts a review of the literature to identify and describe the most common illicit drugs used around South Africa communities, placing emphasis on the policies developed by the South African government in combating these situations. The research follows a critical discussion on the issues associated with drug use, its causes, as well as its effects on humans and the environment. The study recommends relevant initiatives to combat all intricacies associated with drug use within the country. This approach will be appropriate in facilitating a clear-cut understanding of the possible remedies to quench the burning flame of illicit drug use across a broad range of South African communities.

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Silent severe myocardial ischemia in a past illicit drug user imaged with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/02676591211028175 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026765912110281

Author(s):

Chrissa Sioka ◽

Georgios Georgiou ◽

Christos Katsouras ◽

Konstantinos Pappas ◽

Dimitris-Nikiforos Kiortsis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Myocardial Perfusion ◽

Myocardial Ischemia ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Microvascular Dysfunction ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction ◽

Illicit Drug User ◽

Cardiac Symptoms

Patients with illicit drug use may have deleterious acute and chronic cardiac effects. We present a case of a 42-year-old man, former alcohol and various illicit drugs user, who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for management of psychosis. Because of his previous drug and alcohol history, a cardiological evaluation was performed which revealed silent severe myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The myocardial ischemia was attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction, occurring several years after quitting the illicit drugs. This study highlights the potential myocardial ischemia that may occur in patients with previous alcohol and illicit drug use, and the role of MPI, a non-invasive test that can provide important information regarding the myocardial status of such patients, even without obvious cardiac symptoms or findings.

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Racial disparities in discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy following illicit drug use among black and white patients

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.033 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 192 ◽

pp. 371-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Julie R. Gaither ◽

Kirsha Gordon ◽

Stephen Crystal ◽

E. Jennifer Edelman ◽

Robert D. Kerns ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Racial Disparities ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Opioid Therapy ◽

Black And White ◽

White Patients

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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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How far can you go? Association between illicit drug use and academic migration

Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0047-2085000000219 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 8-15

Author(s):

Lauro Miranda Demenech ◽

Samuel C. Dumith ◽

Luiza Santos Ferreira ◽

Mariana Lima Corrêa ◽

Pedro San Martin Soares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Religious Practice ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Study Data ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the prevalence of illicit drugs use in the lifetime, last year and last month, as well as the factors associated to the last year's use and its association with academic migration, among undergraduate students of a university in southern Brazil. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through self-administered questionnaire. It was conducted a clustered systematic sampling. For multivariate analyses, it was used Poisson regression. Results: 1,423 students participated. The prevalence of illicit drug use in the lifetime, last year and last month were 42.4%, 25.5% and 17.7%, respectively. Regarding illicit substances, marijuana use was the most prevalent. The variables independently associated with illicit drugs use in the last year were academic migration, being male, younger, single, high parent's educational level, living with peers, tobacco use in the last year, and having friend and relative that have used illicit drugs. Religious practice had a protective effect. Conclusion: Individuals who migrated from their cities to study at the university are more exposed to the main risk factors pointed out by this research and hence to the use of illicit drugs. Based on these results, we suggest that universities develop evaluation, prevention, treatment or referral strategies considering specific needs of this population

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Epidemiology of Alcohol Misuse and Illicit Drug Use Among Young People Aged 15–24 Years in Fishing Communities in Uganda

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072401 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2401 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Monica O. Kuteesa ◽

Helen A. Weiss ◽

Sarah Cook ◽

Janet Seeley ◽

Josephine N. Ssentongo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Young People ◽

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Alcohol Misuse ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Older Age ◽

Fishing Communities ◽

Low Education

Background: We determined the prevalence of and risk factors for alcohol misuse and illicit drug use among young Ugandans in fishing communities, a recognised “key population” for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among young people (15–24 years) in fishing communities in Koome, Uganda, in December 2017–July 2018. Using Audio-Assisted Self-Interviewing, we collected data on socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol use, including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and timeline follow-back calendar (TLFB). Blood samples were analysed for HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2), and Phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth 16:0/18:1). Urine samples were analysed for illicit drugs. Results: Among 1281 participants (52.7% male, mean age 20 years), 659 (51.4%) reported ever drinking alcohol, 248 (19.4%) had 12-month-AUDIT ≥ 8, and 261 (20.5%) had whole-blood PEth 16:0/18:1 concentration ≥ 20 ng/mL, indicating significant consumption. In multivariable analyses, PEth 16:0/18:1 ≥ 20ng/mL, AUDIT ≥ 8 and binge drinking (≥6 standard drinks per drinking occasion in the previous month from TLFB) were all strongly associated with older age, low education, smoking, and HSV2. Illicit drug use prevalence was 5.2% and was associated with older age, low education, being single, and smoking. Conclusion: Levels of alcohol misuse were high among young people in fishing communities and associated with HSV2, a proxy for risky sexual behaviour. Alcohol and illicit drug harm reduction services and HIV prevention programs in Uganda should prioritise young fisherfolk.

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In-Hospital Illicit Drug Use and Patient-Directed Discharge: Barriers to Care for Patients With Injection-Related Infections

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa074 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ellen F Eaton ◽

Andrew O Westfall ◽

Brandi McClesky ◽

Cayce S Paddock ◽

Peter S Lane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

The United States ◽

Models Of Care ◽

Medical Advice ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Against Medical Advice ◽

Persons Who Inject Drugs

Abstract Background Hospitalized persons who inject drugs are at a greater risk of adverse hospital outcomes including discharge against medical advice, inpatient illicit drug use, overdose, and death. However, there are limited data on the frequency and outcomes of these events in the United States. Methods This retrospective analysis included patients with injection-related infections receiving a protocol for injection drug use (IDU) at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital from 2016 to 2017. In-hospital IDU was suspected or reported drug usage plus confirmatory drug screen, and documented discharges “against medical advice” were deemed patient-directed discharges (PDD). We analyzed the frequency of and associations between in-hospital IDU, PDD, 30-day readmission, and deaths (between 2016 and 2019) using McNemar’s tests. Logistic regression models evaluated the association between PDD, in-hospital IDU, readmission, and death. Results Overall, 83 patients met inclusion criteria: 28 (34%) with in-hospital IDU, 12 (14%) PDD, 9 (11%) died, and 12 (14%) 30-day readmission. In-hospital IDU was significantly associated with PDD (P = .003), 30-day readmission (P = .005), and death (P = .0003). Patient-directed discharges and 30-day readmission were not significantly associated with death nor with each other. Conclusions In a cohort of patients receiving inpatient care for injection-related infections, illicit drug use, PDD, 30-day readmissions, and death were common. Furthermore, patients who use illicit drugs while hospitalized are significantly more likely to leave early, be readmitted, and/or die. We must design models of care that prevent adverse outcomes, including drug use and PDD, to reduce barriers to evidence-based treatment of infections.

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Relationship between marijuana and other illicit drug use and depression/suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001738 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 577-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Namkee G. Choi ◽

Diana M. DiNitto ◽

C. Nathan Marti ◽

Bryan Y. Choi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Drug Use ◽

Drug Users ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Service Providers ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

The Usa

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite growing numbers of older-adult illicit drug users, research on this topic is rare. This study examined the relationship between marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and major depressive episode (MDE) and serious suicidal thoughts among those aged 50+ years in the USA.Methods:The public use files of the 2008 to 2012 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided data on 29,634 individuals aged 50+ years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypothesized associations between past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and MDE and serious suicidal thoughts.Results:Nearly 6% of the 50+ years age group reported past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use. Compared to non-users of any illicit drug, the odds of past-year MDE among those who used marijuana only, other illicit drugs only, and marijuana and other illicit drugs were 1.54 (95% CI = 1.17–2.03), 2.75 (95% CI = 1.75–4.33), and 2.12 (95% CI = 1.45–3.09), respectively. Those who used marijuana and other drugs also had higher odds (2.44, 95% CI = 1.58–3.77) of suicidal thoughts than non-users of any illicit drug. However, among users of any illicit drug, no difference was found among users of marijuana only, marijuana and other illicit drugs, and other illicit drugs only. Among marijuana users, marijuana use frequency was a significant correlate of suicidal thoughts only among those with MDE.Conclusions:Health and mental health (MH) service providers should pay close attention to the potential reciprocal effects of marijuana and other illicit drug use and MDE and suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults.

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