TRIscience

addiction

Profiles of

OxyContin Users

Deni Carise, PH.D. Treatment Research Institute, University of PennsylvaniaSan Antonio, TX. October, 2007

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addiction

OxyContin® work• OxyContin®, the brand name of a time-

release prescription opioid has a similar active ingredient found in several other prescription (Rx) opioids and in heroin.

• However, the media portrays users of OxyContin® as being more “drug naïve”, younger and more educated than individuals using other opioids such as heroin.

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addiction

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addiction

DENS OxyContin Data

After numerous OxyContin issues headlines, DENS added questions about OxyContin to the system and began tracking OxyContin use among people presenting for treatment.

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addiction

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addiction

Media Stereotypes• Rx opioid UserRx opioid User

–Younger–White–More

education–Higher SES–Drug naïve

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Media Stereotypes• Heroin UserHeroin User

–Male–Minority–Lower SES–Drug experienced

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addiction

OxyContin Questions

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OxyContin (Oxy’s, OC’s) Cebacontin (CeeBee’s, CB’s) *

Hydrocodone (Vicodan, Lortec, Lortab)Oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet, Tylox)

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

How many days in the past 30 have you used…?How many years did you regularly use….? Route of Use: Oral, Nasal, Smoking, IM, IV

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Significant DifferencesPrescription opioid users:

• Were younger & more likely to be employed full-time, female and white

• Had more medical hospitalizations and more family problems

• More likely to be awaiting legal charges

• Had longer histories of alcohol, sedative, and cannabis use

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Significant DifferencesHeroin users:

• Were older & more likely to be unemployed, male, and non-white

• Significantly fewer family problems• Longer history of cocaine &

amphetamine use• Higher employment and drug

composite scores

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addiction

Summary• Among treatment seeking, sub. abusers:

–Prescription opioid users did have different demographic and substance use backgrounds

–Both groups had many significant health and social problems

• Differences may have implications in prevention and treatment