Denial of prescription analgesia among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting

Abstract

Introduction and Aims Despite the high prevalence of pain among people who inject drugs (PWID), clinicians may be reluctant to prescribe opioid-based analgesia to those with a history of drug use or addiction. We sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of PWID reporting being denied prescription analgesia (PA). We also explored reported reasons for and actions taken after being denied PA. Design and Methods Using data from two prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the prevalence and correlates of reporting being denied PA. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize reasons for denials and subsequent actions. Results Approximately two thirds (66.5%) of our sample of 462 active PWID reported having ever been denied PA. We found that reporting being denied PA was significantly and positively associated with having ever been enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.76, 95%CI: 1.11–2.80) and daily cocaine injection (AOR=2.38, 95%CI: 1.00–5.66). The most commonly reported reason for being denied PA was being accused of drug-seeking (44.0%). Commonly reported actions taken after being denied PA included buying the requested medication off the street (40.1%) or obtaining heroin to treat pain (32.9%) Discussion and Conclusions These findings highlight the clinical challenges of addressing perceived pain control needs and the need for strategies to prevent high-risk methods of self-managing pain, such as obtaining diverted medications or illicit substances for pain. Such strategies may include integrated pain management guidelines within MMT and other substance use treatment programs.

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