Does pregnancy affect outcome of methadone maintenance treatment?

Studies of pregnant women receiving methadone maintenance have tended to focus on teratogenic, prenatal, and neonatal issues. We are not aware of any controlled studies comparing pregnant to non-pregnant heroin-addicted women in methadone treatment. This article presents findings from a study examining treatment outcome between pregnant and non-pregnant participants in a metropolitan methadone-maintenance program. Participants were 51 pregnant women and 51 non-pregnant women enrolled in a methadone maintenance program between 1994 and 2003. Groups were compared on demographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity, urinalysis results and retention rates. Groups were comparable in terms of most demographic characteristics and severity of addiction at intake. Groups did not differ significantly in terms of urinalysis results or retention rates. While most women reduced their drug use, a majority of both groups continued to use illicit drugs at least occasionally. Psychiatric comorbidity was significantly different with the non-pregnant group being more psychiatrically disordered. Clinical implications are discussed.     

High levels of morphine-6-glucuronide in street heroin addicts

Rationale In the body, heroin is rapidly transformed to 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) and then to morphine, that in turn is mainly metabolized to morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and, at lesser extent, to morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). Unlike M3G, M6G is a potent opioid agonist. Intravenous heroin abusers (IHU) are exposed to a wide array of drugs and contaminants that might affect glucuronidation. Objectives We assessed plasma and urine concentrations of M3G and M6G in four groups of subjects: the first two included long-term IHU either exposed to street heroin (n=8) or receiving a single IV injection of morphine (n=4), while the other two groups included non-IHU patients receiving acute IV (n=8) or chronic oral (n=6) administrations of morphine. Methods After solid phase extraction plasma and urine concentrations of morphine metabolites were determined by HPLC analyses. Results M3G accounted for the greater part of morphine glucuronides detected in body fluids of non-IHU patients treated with morphine. This pattern of metabolism remained stable across 15 days of oral administration of incremental doses of morphine. In contrast, the two groups of IHU (street heroin taking or morphine-treated subjects) showed a reduction of blood and urine M3G concentrations in favor of M6G. Consequently, M6G/M3G ratio was significantly higher in the two IHU groups in comparison with the non-IHU groups. Conclusions Chronic exposure to street heroin causes a relative increase in concentrations of the active metabolite, M6G. Since the pattern of M6G action seems closer to heroin than to morphine, the increased synthesis of M6G observed in IHU may prolong the narrow window of heroin effects.     

纳曲酮长效缓释剂包埋术100例临床分析

目的：验证纳洛酮冲击疗法、纳曲酮冲击疗法的临床效果,探讨纳曲酮长效缓释剂包埋术的防复吸效能。方法：需脱毒者采用NTX冲击疗法或NLX冲击疗法快速脱毒,次日进行NTX长效缓释剂包埋术,观察冲击疗法临床效果,随访出院后稽延性戒断症状及防复吸效能。结果：100例中,已完成脱毒者7例,采用NTX冲击治疗者36例,采用NLX冲击治疗者57例,次日进行包埋术,无一例出现严重戒断症状,冲击成功率100%,出现无菌性炎症4例,稽延性戒断症均在1个月以内消除,半年操守率96.8%。结论：NLX或NTX冲击疗法具有时间短、脱毒快、彻底、成功率高的优点,经得起临床验证。NTX长效缓释剂有较好的防复吸效能,很有临床实用价值。     

女性海洛因依赖者患盆腔炎性疾病调查分析

目的:了解女性海洛因依赖者中因性乱所致盆腔炎性疾病(PID)患病流行情况.方法:对在我所强戒的1 237名海洛因依赖者,进行妇科体检、阴道分泌物涂片及妇科B超检查.结果:患病人数为114人,患病率9.22%,且不同年龄人群组患病有显著性差异(x2=12.003,P＜0.01),有卖淫行为者患病率明显高于无卖淫行为者(x2=12.063,P＜0.01).结论:加强对吸毒妇女(尤其是青年女性)的性卫生教育,避免性乱,对控制性疾病传播有重要意义.     

The hidden web and the fentanyl problem: Detection of ocfentanil as an adulterant in heroin

BackgroundThe popularization of anonymous markets such as Silk Road is challenging current drug policy and may provide a new context for old issues, such as adulteration of heroin with fentanyl derivatives. The aims of this paper are to report the presence of ocfentanil, a novel, potent, non-controlled fentanyl analog, in samples sold as heroin in the hidden web, and to summarize the effects reported by users.MethodsIn 2015, four samples allegedly bought as heroin in cryptomarkets of the hidden web were sent to Energy Control for analysis. Energy Control is a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers anonymous drug checking with the purpose of adapting counselling to the specific substances present in the drug and monitor the drug market. Identification was performed by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. We contacted the submitters of the samples and performed an Internet search to retrieve additional information.ResultsOne sample contained ocfentanil, caffeine and heroin. Three samples contained the aforementioned substances plus paracetamol. Two out of the four contacted users reported distinct short acting, opioid-like effects. No fora discussion could be found about the effects of ocfentanil, neither web pages nor individuals advertising the substance.ConclusionWe report the presence of a new substance detected in the hidden web as an adulterant of heroin, ocfentanil. It has short acting opioid-like effects, roughly the same potency as fentanyl, and can be injected, snorted or smoked. Severe side effects have been associated with its use, including one death. No discussion about this substance could be found in the Internet, which suggests this substance has not been sold as such. Available data about purities of drugs purchased in cryptomarkets suggest that adulteration is not a severe problem and this agrees with users’ perceptions. However, this study suggests that adulteration is a real threat not only at the street level, but also for users that buy substances in cryptomarkets, and suggest the need for harm reduction initiatives in this setting.     

High enhancer,downer, withdrawal helper: Multifunctional nonmedical benzodiazepine use among young adult opioid users in New York City

BackgroundBenzodiazepines are a widely prescribed psychoactive drug; in the U.S., both medical and nonmedical use of benzodiazepines has increased markedly in the past 15 years. Long-term use can lead to tolerance and dependence, and abrupt withdrawal can cause seizures or other life-threatening symptoms. Benzodiazepines are often used nonmedically in conjunction with other drugs, and with opioids in particular—a combination that can increase the risk for fatal and non-fatal overdose. This mixed-methods study examines nonmedical use of benzodiazepines among young adults in New York City and its relationship with opioid use.MethodsFor qualitative analysis, 46 90-minute semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adult opioid users (ages 18–32). Interviews were transcribed and coded for key themes. For quantitative analysis, 464 young adult opioid users (ages 18–29) were recruited using Respondent-Driven Sampling and completed structured interviews. Benzodiazepine use was assessed via a self-report questionnaire that included measures related to nonmedical benzodiazepine and opioid use.ResultsParticipants reported using benzodiazepines nonmedically for a wide variety of reasons, including: to increase the high of other drugs; to lessen withdrawal symptoms; and to come down from other drugs. Benzodiazepines were described as readily available and cheap. There was a high prevalence (93%) of nonmedical benzodiazepine use among nonmedical opioid users, with 57% reporting regular nonmedical use. In bivariate analyses, drug-related risk behaviours such as polysubstance use, drug binging, heroin injection and overdose were strongly associated with regular nonmedical benzodiazepine use. In multivariate analysis, growing up in a middle-income household (earning between $51,000 and $100,000 annually), lifetime overdose experience, having ever used cocaine regularly, having ever been prescribed benzodiazepines, recent drug binging, and encouraging fellow drug users to use benzodiazepines to cope with opioid withdrawal were consistently strong predictors of regular nonmedical benzodiazepine use.ConclusionNonmedical benzodiazepine use may be common among nonmedical opioid users due to its drug-related multi-functionality. Harm reduction messages should account for the multiple functions benzodiazepines serve in a drug-using context, and encourage drug users to tailor their endorsement of benzodiazepines to peers to include safer alternatives.     

Polydrug use and its association with drug treatment outcomes among primary heroin,methamphetamine, and cocaine users

BackgroundPolydrug use may challenge effective treatment for substance use disorders. We evaluate whether secondary substance use modifies the association between treatment and primary drug use among primary heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (MA) users.MethodsData were obtained from prospective cohort studies on people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) in California, USA. Using repeated monthly data on self-reported secondary substance use (heroin, cocaine, MA, alcohol or marijuana; ≥1 day in a month), primary drug use (≥1 day in a month), and treatment participation, collected via timeline follow-back, we fitted generalized linear mixed multiple regression models controlling for potential confounders to examine the interactions between treatment and secondary substance use on the odds of primary heroin, cocaine and MA use, respectively.ResultsIncluded in our study were 587 primary heroin, 444 primary MA, and 501 primary cocaine users, with a median of 32.4, 13.3 and 18.9 years of follow-up, respectively. In the absence of secondary substance use, treatment was strongly associated with decreased odds of primary drug use (adjusted odds ratios (aORs): 0.25, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.27, 0.07 (0.06, 0.08), and 0.07 (0.07, 0.09)) for primary heroin, MA, and cocaine users, respectively. Secondary substance use of any kind moderated these associations (0.82 (0.78, 0.87), 0.25 (0.21, 0.30) and 0.53 (0.45, 0.61), respectively), and these findings were consistent for each type of secondary substance considered. Moreover, we observed different associations in terms of direction and magnitude between secondary substance use and primary drug use during off-treatment periods across substance types.ConclusionThis study demonstrates secondary substance use moderates the temporal associations between treatment and primary drug use among primary heroin, MA and cocaine users. Disparate patterns of polydrug use require careful measurement and analysis to inform targeted treatment for polydrug users.     

Fear of sense in the street heroin market

Open street drug markets in the western industrialized world often create fear and outrage in the community. Many arguments posited by resident groups and local businesses against the introduction of harm reduction initiatives, such as fixed site needle and syringe programmes (NSP) and supervised injecting facilities (SIF), are based on the fear that such facilities will attract street drug markets. In this paper, we explore the fear produced in a city's encounter with street heroin use. Through linking a Deleuzian ontology to spatial practices associated with the street drug market, we provide a deeper understanding of the fear of public drug use. After examining how fear is produced, we then connect fear with the flows of capital in street drug markets and to the political and economic outcomes from such encounters.     

四川省凉山地区静脉吸毒人群药物滥用及其行为特征调查

目的:了解四川省凉山地区静脉吸毒人群药物滥用及行为特征情况,为采取有针对性的戒毒干预措施预防艾滋病病毒的传播提供数据.方法:以社区为基础招募了379名静脉吸毒人员,调查其人口学特征,艾滋病病毒感染情况,药物滥用的种类、吸毒方式和频率,口吸和静脉吸毒时间,共用注射器具情况等.结果:静脉吸毒人群艾滋病病毒感染率为11.3%(43/379).379名被调查者全部为海洛因滥用者,其中247人(65.2%)单独使用过海洛因,297人(78.4%)混合注射过海洛因与安定,滥用过的其他药物有安定(8.2%)和鸦片(1.3%).300人(79.2%)每天静脉注射吸毒一次及以上;曾经共用注射器具静脉吸毒的为247人(65.2%),87人(35.2%)首次静脉注射吸毒即与他人共用注射器具;初次口吸吸毒和静脉注射吸毒的平均年龄分别为22.37岁和25.35岁,口吸吸毒和静脉注射吸毒的平均时间分别为6.41年和3.42年.结论:加强青少年、吸毒人员关于毒品危害和拒绝毒品的健康教育活动,以及开展美沙酮或丁丙诺啡口服治疗海洛因依赖者,降低静脉注射吸毒行为,控制艾滋病病毒的传播.