Patricia Cavazos-Rehg1, Richard Grucza2, Melissa J Krauss3, Austin Smarsh4, Nnenna Anako5, Erin Kasson6, Nina Kaiser7, Samantha Sansone8, Rachel Winograd9, Laura J Bierut10. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: pcavazos@wustl.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: rick@wustl.edu. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: mkrauss@wustl.edu. 4. University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States. Electronic address: atsmarsh@umich.edu. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States; George Warren Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States. Electronic address: nanako@wustl.edu. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: erinmkasson@wustl.edu. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: ninakaiser@wustl.edu. 8. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: s.sansone@wustl.edu. 9. Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri St. Louis, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, MO 63134, United States. Electronic address: rachel.winograd@mimh.edu. 10. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: laura@wustl.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Opioid misuse has evolved into an American health crisis over the past decade, becoming a public health epidemic. Measures need to be taken to prevent overdoses by opioid misuse as well as prevent the transition into injection drug use, a high risk factor for contracting HIV/HCV. This study utilized social media to survey individuals currently misusing opioids to identify groups of individuals with different risk and use patterns. METHODS: We recruited participants for our online survey from Reddit. Five risk behaviors were used to characterize overdose and HIV/HCV risk groups. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status were also included in the analyses, as well as items outlining social media use surrounding opioids. RESULTS: Two groups of participants were characterized by high likelihoods of different combinations of risky behaviors: (1) Overdose Risk Group and (2) Sexual Risk Group. Those in the Overdose Risk Group were more likely to be younger in age and female, and this group was more likely to desire or be ready for treatment relative to the lowest risk group. Those in the Sexual Risk Group were more likely to be of a minority race/ethnicity, to desire or be ready for treatment, and to post more often on Reddit about opioid use. DISCUSSION: The results of this study illustrate patterns of opioid use and risk behaviors to inform tailored outreach and treatment efforts for groups of opioid misusers and suggests the potential for utilizing social media as a tool to engage these individuals into treatment and recovery activities.
INTRODUCTION: Opioid misuse has evolved into an American health crisis over the past decade, becoming a public health epidemic. Measures need to be taken to prevent overdoses by opioid misuse as well as prevent the transition into injection drug use, a high risk factor for contracting HIV/HCV. This study utilized social media to survey individuals currently misusing opioids to identify groups of individuals with different risk and use patterns. METHODS: We recruited participants for our online survey from Reddit. Five risk behaviors were used to characterize overdose and HIV/HCV risk groups. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status were also included in the analyses, as well as items outlining social media use surrounding opioids. RESULTS: Two groups of participants were characterized by high likelihoods of different combinations of risky behaviors: (1) Overdose Risk Group and (2) Sexual Risk Group. Those in the Overdose Risk Group were more likely to be younger in age and female, and this group was more likely to desire or be ready for treatment relative to the lowest risk group. Those in the Sexual Risk Group were more likely to be of a minority race/ethnicity, to desire or be ready for treatment, and to post more often on Reddit about opioid use. DISCUSSION: The results of this study illustrate patterns of opioid use and risk behaviors to inform tailored outreach and treatment efforts for groups of opioid misusers and suggests the potential for utilizing social media as a tool to engage these individuals into treatment and recovery activities.
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