Women who abuse prescription opioids: findings from the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version Connect prescription opioid database.
BACKGROUND
Evidence suggests gender differences in abuse of prescription opioids. This study aimed to describe characteristics of women who abuse prescription opioids in a treatment-seeking sample and to contrast gender differences among prescription opioid abusers.


METHODS
Data collected November 2005 to April 2008 derived from the Addiction Severity Index Multimedia Version Connect (ASI-MV Connect) database. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression examined correlates of prescription opioid abuse stratified by gender.


RESULTS
29,906 assessments from 220 treatment centers were included, of which 12.8% (N=3821) reported past month prescription opioid abuse. Women were more likely than men to report use of any prescription opioid (29.8% females vs. 21.1% males, p<0.001) and abuse of any prescription opioid (15.4% females vs. 11.1% males, p<0.001) in the past month. Route of administration and source of prescription opioids displayed gender-specific tendencies. Women-specific correlates of recent prescription opioid abuse were problem drinking, age <54, inhalant use, residence outside of West US Census region, and history of drug overdose. Men-specific correlates were age <34, currently living with their children, residence in the South and Midwest, hallucinogen use, and recent depression. Women prescription opioid abusers were less likely to report a pain problem although they were more likely to report medical problems than women who abused other drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender-specific factors should be taken into account in efforts to screen and identify those at highest risk of prescription opioid abuse. Prevention and intervention efforts with a gender-specific approach are warranted.
Green
Traci C
TC
Yale School of Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA. traci.c.green@yale.edu
Grimes Serrano
Jill M
JM
Licari
Andrea
A
Budman
Simon H
SH
Butler
Stephen F
SF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014930:Women; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D055553:Prescription Drugs