Uses of Diverted Methadone and Buprenorphine by Opioid-Addicted Individuals in Baltimore, Maryland

Shannon Gwin Mitchell; Sharon M Kelly; Barry S Brown; Heather Schacht Reisinger; James A Peterson; Adrienne Ruhf; Michael H Agar; Kevin E O'Grady; Robert P Schwartz

doi:10.3109/10550490903077820

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Uses of Diverted Methadone and Buprenorphine by Opioid-Addicted Individuals in Baltimore, Maryland

Journal article

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Uses of Diverted Methadone and Buprenorphine by Opioid-Addicted Individuals in Baltimore, Maryland

Shannon Gwin Mitchell, Sharon M Kelly, Barry S Brown, Heather Schacht Reisinger, James A Peterson, Adrienne Ruhf, Michael H Agar, Kevin E O'Grady and Robert P Schwartz

The American journal on addictions, Vol.18(5), pp.346-355

08/10/2009

DOI: 10.3109/10550490903077820

PMID: 19874152

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/2771323View

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Abstract

This study examined the uses of diverted methadone and buprenorphine among opiate-addicted individuals recruited from new admissions to methadone programs and from out-of-treatment individuals recruited from the streets. Self-report data regarding diversion were obtained from surveys and semi-structured qualitative interviews. Approximately 16% (n = 84) of the total sample (N = 515) reported using diverted (street) methadone two-three times per week for six months or more, and for an average of 7.8 days (SD = 10.3) within the past month. The group reporting lifetime use of diverted methadone as compared to the group that did not report such use was less likely to use heroin and cocaine in the 30 days prior to admission (ps <.01) and had lower ASI Drug Composite scores (p <.05). Participants in our qualitative sub-sample (n = 22) indicated that street methadone was more widely used than street buprenorphine and that both drugs were largely used as self-medication for detoxification and withdrawal symptoms. Participants reported using low dosages and no injection of either medication was reported.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Uses of Diverted Methadone and Buprenorphine by Opioid-Addicted Individuals in Baltimore, Maryland
Creators: Shannon Gwin Mitchell - 1Friends Research Institute, Inc., Social Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Sharon M Kelly - 1Friends Research Institute, Inc., Social Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Barry S Brown
Heather Schacht Reisinger
James A Peterson
Adrienne Ruhf - 1Friends Research Institute, Inc., Social Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Michael H Agar
Kevin E O'Grady - 6Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Robert P Schwartz
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal on addictions, Vol.18(5), pp.346-355
DOI: 10.3109/10550490903077820
PMID: 19874152
NLM abbreviation: Am J Addict
ISSN: 1055-0496
eISSN: 1521-0391
Publisher: Informa UK Ltd
Language: English
Date published: 08/10/2009
Academic Unit: Center for Social Science Innovation; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094338502771

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