title: Comparative profiles of men and women with opioid dependence: results from a national multisite effectiveness trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accumulating evidence indicates important gender differences in substance use disorders. Little is known, however, about gender differences and opioid use disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare demographic characteristics, substance use severity, and other associated areas of functioning (as measured by the Addiction Severity Index-Lite (ASI-Lite)) among opioid-dependent men and women participating in a multisite effectiveness trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 892 adults screened for the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network investigation of the effectiveness of two buprenorphine tapering schedules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of men and women tested positive for oxycodone (68% and 65%, respectively) and morphine (89% each). More women than men tested positive for amphetamines (4% vs. 1%, p < .01), methamphetamine (11% vs. 4%, p < .01), and phencyclidine (8% vs. 4%, p = .02). More men than women tested positive for methadone (11% vs. 6%, p = .05) and marijuana (22% vs. 15%, p = .03). Craving for opioids was significantly higher among women (p < .01). Men evidenced higher alcohol (p < .01) and legal (p = .04) ASI composite scores, whereas women had higher drug (p < .01), employment (p < .01), family (p < .01), medical (p < .01), and psychiatric (p < .01) ASI composite scores. Women endorsed significantly more current and past medical problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Important gender differences in the clinical profiles of opioid-dependent individuals were observed with regard to substance use severity, craving, medical conditions, and impairment in associated areas of functioning. The findings enhance understanding of the characteristics of treatment-seeking men and women with opioid dependence, and may be useful in improving identification, prevention, and treatment efforts for this challenging and growing population.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA. backs@musc.edu
authors.forename: Sudie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Back
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Amy Herrin
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Wahlquist
authors.forename: Rickey E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stroud
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillhouse
authors.forename: Kathleen T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine