Characteristics of opiate users vary widely across US

Individuals who use opiates, either heroin, prescription painkillers or a combination of the two, have very different demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics, affecting groups not normally seen as “drug users,” according to recently release data.  

“Over the last several years there has been more restrictions put in place, including prescription-drug monitoring programs and the introduction of a tamper-proof opiod, making it difficult to crush, liquefy and inject the substance,” Shannon M. Monnat, PhD, department of agricultural economics, sociology and education, Pennsylvania State University, said in a press release. “What this has done is restrict access to prescription painkillers for people who previously became addicted to them. These people sometimes transition into heroin, which has become incredibly cheap and easily accessible.”

To assess the characteristics of adult opiate users in the U.S., Monnat and colleague Khary K. Rigg, PhD, department of mental health law and policy, University of South Florida, analyzed data from the 2010 to 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Participants were classified into one of three categories: heroin-only users, (H-O) (n = 179); prescription painkiller only users (PP-O) (n = 9,516); and heroin and prescription painkiller users (H-PP) (n = 506). 

Results demonstrated that H-O users were more likely to be older, have criminal justice involvement, lack connections to social institutions, at a socioeconomic disadvantage and have easy access to heroin.

PP-O users were most common, which included 4.4% of participants. Compared with H-O and H-PP users, participants who were P-O users were the most economically stable, more likely to have connections to social institutions and were less likely to have criminal justice involvement and access to heroin. 

Men and white participants were significantly more likely to be H-PP users, compared with women and Hispanic participants. Additionally, H-PP users were more likely to have poor mental and physical health.

The researchers noted the importance of health care providers addressing the unique needs of patients who use different types of opiates. 

“Our results suggest not all opioid use is created equal, and a one-size-fits-all approach to the opiate abuse problem is likely to fail. Depending on the combination of opiates taken, user characteristics and outcomes can vary widely. Interventions must account for the unique needs of these different user groups to enhance effectiveness,” Rigg and Monnat wrote. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.