Type of opioid dependence among patients seeking opioid substitution treatment: are there differences in background and severity of problems?

Abstract

BackgroundThe study explores differences and similarities in background and problem severity among those seeking Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST), comparing those who primarily had misused "opiates", e.g. heroin, morphine and opium, with those who primarily had misused other opioids.MethodsPatients (n = 127) assessed for possible admittance in OST are compared based on the Addiction Severity Index. Two groups based on primary type of opioid misused are compared (opiates vs. other opioids).ResultsIn the global severity ratings there were no significant differences between the groups other than tautological artefacts concerning heroin. There were few specific differences between the groups. The opiate group more often had Hepatitis C and more often had legal problems related to financing their misuse. Injection of drugs was the main method of administration in both groups, i.e. 90 % for mostly opiates vs. 75 % for mostly other opioids. A great majority in both groups, 96 % vs. 91 %, had misused most other types of drugs. Both groups were found to have severe problems in all areas investigated.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates great similarities in problem severity among those seeking OST, both those who primarily had misused opiates and those who primarily had misused other opioids.

Opioid maintenance treatment: trajectories in and out of treatment

“…= 10.2) years. They had extensive problems and more than five previous addiction treatments [30]. Eighty-four per cent injected drugs.…”

“…The interviews took between 120 and 210 minutes to perform, with sixteen interviews on repeated occasions. While parts of the comprehensive interview have been reported in other studies [29,30], the parts used for this study are presented here.…”

“…Within OMT assessment routines, ASI interviews are conducted (T1) by the referring municipal social counselors, who also provide plans for psychosocial interventions to supplement the medical treatment. The results of these baseline interviews were previously reported [30]. At T2, the ASI follow-up interviews were conducted by BM (author).…”

“…Baseline ratings (T1) of the seven ASI areas was published previously [30] and interested readers are referred to those. Table 3 presents changes in prospective ASI measures.…”

“…In 2011, a naturalistic study was initiated to follow a population assessed for OMT, including those admitted as well as those denied participation in OMT. Previous studies on the baseline data of that population compared those who met the HMO criteria to those with problems related to other opioids, showing that the groups are similar in diagnostic terms [29] as well as in related problems [30]. The studies found no reasons for treating the groups differently.…”