Characteristics and correlates of men and women with prescription opioid dependence

Abstract

Despite the fact that important gender differences in drug and alcohol use have been previously reported, little research to date has focused on gender differences with regard to nonmedical prescription opioid use. This study preliminarily examined the presenting characteristics and correlates (e.g., age of onset, route of administration, motives for using, method of introduction) of men and women with prescription opioid dependence. Participants were 24 (12 men, 12 women) non-treatment seeking individuals at least 18 years of age with current (i.e., past 12 months) prescription opioid dependence who participated in an in-depth interview. The average age of onset of prescription opioid use was 22.2 years (SD = 8.5). In comparison to men, women were approximately six years older when they initiated prescription opioid use, but were only three years older when they began to use prescription opioids regularly (i.e., weekly), suggesting an accelerated course of disease progression among women. Over half of the sample (61.5%) endorsed chewing and almost half (45.8%) endorsed crushing and snorting prescription opioids. Men were significantly more likely than women to crush and snort prescription opioids (75.0% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.01). Women were significantly more likely than men to be motivated to use prescription opioids in order to cope with interpersonal stress, and to use them first thing in the morning (ps = 0.04). Concomitant alcohol and other drug use were common among both men and women. The findings highlight clinically relevant gender differences and may help enhance the design of gender-sensitive screening and treatment interventions for prescription opioids.

Sex differences in drug use among polysubstance users

“…To our knowledge, only one other study has specifically examined sex-contingent telescoping in pain medication abuse. This work, conducted by Back and colleagues (2011), noted telescoping among women, but observed a more rapid progression from initial to regular use, in contrast with the current data.…”

“…Among individuals with prescription opioid dependence, women disproportionately reported receiving their initial opioids from a physician (83%), relative to men (58%; Back et al, 2011). Among college-aged individuals, men are more likely to purchase prescription opioids from a dealer, while women obtain them more often from parents (McCabe et al, 2005).…”

Sex differences in daily life stress and craving in opioid-dependent patients

“…Reasons for drug use also tend to differ between men and women. Men report using substances primarily for positive rewarding effects, while women often use substances, including opioids, to cope with negative emotions and interpersonal stress (31). In the present study, women were more likely to report arguing during stress events relative to random prompts, which may be an interpersonal stressor that could potentially increase craving or use (which we did not assess here).…”

Mothering on the Margins: Homeless Women with an SUD and Complex Mental Health Co-Morbidities

“…Women report using alcohol and drugs to cope with stressful situations in their lives. These stressors include bearing the burden of responsibility associated with being mothers, wives and, increasingly, the prime source of income for the family, coupled with victimization associated with sexual and domestic violence (Back, Lawson, Singleton, & Brady, 2011;Peters, Khondkaryan, & Sullivan, 2012).…”