Pablo K Valente1, Angela R Bazzi2, Ellen Childs3, Peter Salhaney4, Joel Earlywine2, Jennifer Olson4, Dea L Biancarelli3, Brandon D L Marshall5, Katie B Biello6. 1. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02912, USA. 2. Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA. 3. Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA. 4. Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 8th Floor, Providence, RI 02912, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02912, USA. 6. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02912, USA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: katie_biello@brown.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polysubstance use (i.e., using ≥2 psychoactive substances concomitantly) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and complicates drug treatment needs among people who inject drugs (PWID). We explored patterns, contexts, motivations, and perceived consequences of polysubstance use among PWID in small cities and towns in the U.S. Northeast. METHODS: Between October 2018 and March 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 45 PWID living outside of the capital cities of Rhode Island and Massachusetts recruited online and through community-based organizations. Written transcripts were coded inductively and deductively using a team-based approach and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: All participants reported recent polysubstance use, with most using five or more classes of substances in the past three months. Polysubstance use often followed long personal drug use histories (i.e., years or decades of occasional drug use). Reasons for polysubstance use included obtaining synergistic psychoactive effects as a result of mixing drugs (i.e., using drugs to potentiate effects of other drugs) and managing undesirable effects of particular drugs (e.g., offsetting the depressant effects of opioids with stimulants or vice-versa). Polysubstance use to self-medicate poorly managed physical and mental health conditions (e.g., chronic pain, anxiety, and depression) was also reported. Inadequately managed cravings and withdrawal symptoms prompted concomitant use of heroin and medications for opioid use disorder, including among individuals reporting cocaine or crack as their primary "issue" drugs. Polysubstance use was perceived to increase overdose risks and to be a barrier to accessing healthcare and drug treatment services. CONCLUSION: Healthcare services and clinicians should acknowledge, assess, and account for polysubstance use among patients and promote harm reduction approaches for individuals who may be using multiple drugs. Comprehensive healthcare that meets the social, physical, mental health, and drug treatment needs of PWID may decrease the perceived need for polysubstance use to self-medicate poorly managed health conditions and symptoms.
BACKGROUND: Polysubstance use (i.e., using ≥2 psychoactive substances concomitantly) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and complicates drug treatment needs among people who inject drugs (PWID). We explored patterns, contexts, motivations, and perceived consequences of polysubstance use among PWID in small cities and towns in the U.S. Northeast. METHODS: Between October 2018 and March 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 45 PWID living outside of the capital cities of Rhode Island and Massachusetts recruited online and through community-based organizations. Written transcripts were coded inductively and deductively using a team-based approach and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: All participants reported recent polysubstance use, with most using five or more classes of substances in the past three months. Polysubstance use often followed long personal drug use histories (i.e., years or decades of occasional drug use). Reasons for polysubstance use included obtaining synergistic psychoactive effects as a result of mixing drugs (i.e., using drugs to potentiate effects of other drugs) and managing undesirable effects of particular drugs (e.g., offsetting the depressant effects of opioids with stimulants or vice-versa). Polysubstance use to self-medicate poorly managed physical and mental health conditions (e.g., chronic pain, anxiety, and depression) was also reported. Inadequately managed cravings and withdrawal symptoms prompted concomitant use of heroin and medications for opioid use disorder, including among individuals reporting cocaine or crack as their primary "issue" drugs. Polysubstance use was perceived to increase overdose risks and to be a barrier to accessing healthcare and drug treatment services. CONCLUSION: Healthcare services and clinicians should acknowledge, assess, and account for polysubstance use among patients and promote harm reduction approaches for individuals who may be using multiple drugs. Comprehensive healthcare that meets the social, physical, mental health, and drug treatment needs of PWID may decrease the perceived need for polysubstance use to self-medicate poorly managed health conditions and symptoms.
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