Patterns of polydrug use among Black Americans who misuse opioids

This study used data from the Florida Minority Health Study, a mixed-methods project that included online surveys (n  = 303) and qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 30) of Black Americans who misuse opioids. Data collection was conducted from August 2021 to February 2022 throughout Southwest Florida. Analyses revealed that opioids were most commonly combined with alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine, res pectively. Opioids were co-used with alcohol in an attempt to enhance the desired effect (i.e., intoxication), while stimulants and opioids were combined to counteract the undesirable side effects of the other. This study begins to answer the question of which/why substances are combined with opioid s among Black Americans and should inform behavioral health interventions targeted at this population. Data on this topic are especially timely as the United States goes through the current fourth wave of the opioid crisis that is characterized by deaths due to polydrug use. These findings invite fu rther study using nationally representative data to determine the extent to which polydrug using patterns differ across racial/ethnic groups.
Source: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research