Trends of people using drugs and opioid substitute treatment recorded in England and wales general practice (1994-2012).
BACKGROUND
Illicit drug use is a multifaceted public-health problem with potentially serious impacts. The United Kingdom has one of the highest prevalence of illegal drug use in Europe. Reduction of overall illegal drug use in England and Wales has decreased from 11% to 8.2% (2012/13) over the past 10 years. People who use drugs often seek help from their family doctors.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate General Practitioners (family doctors) first recording of drug use and opioid substitute treatment in primary care settings.


METHODS
A descriptive study design. Males and females (16-64 years old) were extracted from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database.


METHODS
England and Wales primary care.


METHODS
The first recording of drug use and opioid substitution treatment in primary care was estimated for the period (1994-2012). Poisson regressions were conducted to estimate incidence risk ratios (IRR).


RESULTS
We identified 33,508 first recordings of drug use and 10,869 individuals with prescriptions for opioid substitute treatment. Overall, males (IRR 2.02, 95% CI:1.97-2.07), people in the age-group; 16-24 (IRR 6.7, 95% CI:6.4-6.9) compared to those over 25 years and the most deprived (IRR 4.2, 95% CI:3.9-4.4) were more likely to have a recording of drug use. Males (IRR 1.2 95% CI:1.2-1.3), in the age-group; 25-34 (IRR 1.8 95% CI:1.7-1.9) and the most deprived (IRR 3.9 95% CI:3.6-4.3) were the groups more likely to have a opioid substitute treatment prescription.


CONCLUSIONS
It is evident from this study that there is little recording of drug use and opioid substitute treatment in primary care. Most drug users do not receive treatment in primary care.
University College London Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom.
Hilary R
HR
Davies
University College London Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom.
Irwin
I
Nazareth
University College London Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom.
Irene
I
Petersen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid