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Lifetime history of heroin use is associated with greater drug severity among prescription opioid abusers . BACKGROUND While research suggests primary prescription opioid ( PO ) abusers may exhibit less severe demographic and drug use characteristics than primary heroin abusers , less is known about whether a lifetime history of heroin use confers greater severity among PO abusers . OBJECTIVE In this secondary analysis , we examined demographic and drug use characteristics as a function of lifetime heroin use among 89 PO-dependent adults screened for a trial evaluating the relative efficacy of buprenorphine taper durations . Exploratory analyses also examined contribution of lifetime heroin use to treatment response among a subset of participants who received a uniform set of study procedures . METHODS Baseline characteristics were compared between participants reporting lifetime heroin use ≥5 ( H ( + ) ; n=41 ) vs. < 5 ( H ( - ) ; n=48 ) times . Treatment response ( i.e. , illicit opioid abstinence and treatment retention at end of study ) was examined in the subset of H ( + ) and H ( - ) participants randomized to receive the 4-week taper condition ( N=22 ) . RESULTS H ( + ) participants were significantly older and more likely to be male . They reported longer durations of illicit opioid use , greater alcohol-related problems , more past-month cocaine use , greater lifetime IV drug use , and greater lifetime use of cigarettes , amphetamines and hallucinogens . H ( + ) participants also had lower scores on the Positive Symptom Distress and Depression subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory . Finally , there was a trend toward poorer treatment outcomes among H ( + ) participants . CONCLUSION A lifetime history of heroin use may be associated with elevated drug severity and unique treatment needs among treatment-seeking PO abusers .
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Outcome_Mental
longer durations of illicit opioid use , greater alcohol-related problems , more past-month cocaine use , greater lifetime IV drug use , and greater lifetime use of cigarettes , amphetamines and hallucinogens
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Outcome_Mental
the Positive Symptom Distress and Depression subscales
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Participant_Condition
prescription opioid abusers .
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Participant_Sample-size
89
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Participant_Age
adults
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Participant_Sample-size
n=41
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Participant_Condition
treatment-seeking PO abusers