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Concurrent Alcohol and Opioid Use Among Harm Reduction Clients
Erin L Winstanley1, Amanda N Stover2, Judith Feinberg1
1Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States of America.
Many individuals using opioids also consume alcohol, increasing overdose risks. Enhanced harm reduction services are needed to address concurrent alcohol and opioid use, particularly for those with viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Harm reduction services often overlook alcohol use among opioid users.
- Concurrent alcohol and opioid use poses significant overdose and medical risks, especially for those with viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of concurrent alcohol and opioid use.
- Focus on participants in syringe services and overdose prevention programs in Ohio and Kentucky.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing self-report data from 1,142 participants.
- Categorized concurrent use into no use, alcohol and opioid use, and alcohol, prescription opioid, and heroin use in the past three months.
Main Results:
- 47% reported no concurrent use; 20.1% used alcohol with heroin or prescription opioids; 33.4% used alcohol with both.
- Lifetime suicidal ideation and non-opioid drug use were linked to concurrent alcohol and opioid consumption.
Conclusions:
- Clients with concurrent alcohol and opioid use may require intensified overdose prevention.
- Syringe services and overdose prevention programs could benefit from interventions addressing alcohol consumption.
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