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Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2009;101(1-2):13-19. [doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.10.015]
Geetha A. Subramaniam, MD (Mountain Manor Treatment Center, Johns Hopkins University, MA Node), Maxine L. Stitzer, PhD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MA Node).
This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of treatment-seeking prescription opioid-using adolescents with DSM-IV opioid use disorder (OUD) to those with heroin-using OUD adolescents. The authors analyzed the data on OUD adolescents (94, ages 14-18 years, some of whom were recruited from the CTN study of buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependent adolescents/young adults (CTN-0010)) extracted from the parent study dataset comparing clinical characteristics of treatment-seeking OUD to non-OUD adolescents. The sample consisted of 41 non-heroin prescription opioid-using and 53 heroin-using OUD adolescents who were assessed cross-sectionally using standardized interviews and self-reports. Both groups were older (mean 17 years), predominantly Caucasian, and had a suburban residence; they had high rates of co-occurring psychiatric disorders (83%) and they reported moderately high depression symptoms. The heroin-using sample was more likely to have dropped out of school, be dependent on opioids and inject drugs using needles. The prescription opioid-using OUD youth were more likely to meet criteria for multiple SUDs (including prescription sedatives and psychostimulants), current ADHD and report selling drugs; and more likely to be court ordered to current treatment and report prior psychiatric treatment.
Both groups of treatment-seeking OUD adolescents had multiple comorbidities but there were substantial differences between prescription opioid-users and heroin-users. These differences may suggest different prognoses and treatment implications. Future research may shed light on the factors leading to differences in choice of opioids and their impact on treatment outcomes; and assess the role of agonist assisted treatments and integrated psychiatric care. (Article (Peer-Reviewed), PDF, English, 2009)
 Keywords: Adolescents | Buprenorphine/Naloxone | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | Co-occurring disorders | CTN platform/ancillary study | Heroin | Opioid dependence | Prescription-type opiates | Stimulant abuse | Suboxone | Drug and Alcohol Dependence (journal)
Document No: 333, PMID: 19081205, PMCID: PMC2746065
Submitted by CTN Dissemination Librarians, 12/10/2008. |
