title: "Sub is a weird drug:" A web-based study of lay attitudes about use of buprenorphine to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Illicit use of buprenorphine has increased in the U.S., but our understanding of its use remains limited. This study aims to explore Web-forum discussions about the use of buprenorphine to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  PREDOSE, a novel Semantic Web platform, was used to extract relevant posts from a Web-forum that allows free discussions on illicit drugs. First, we extract information about the total number of buprenorphine-related posts per year between 2005 and 2013. Second, PREDOSE was used to identify all posts that potentially contained discussions about buprenorphine and opioid withdrawal. A total number of 1,217 posts that contained these terms were extracted and entered into NVivo data base. A random sample of 404 (33%) posts was selected and content analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Buprenorphine-related posts increased over time, peaking in 2011. The posts were about equally divided between those that expressed positive and negative views about the effectiveness of buprenorphine in relieving withdrawal symptoms. Web-forum participants emphasized that buprenorphine's effectiveness may become compromised because of the "size of a person habit," and/or when users repeatedly switch back and forth between buprenorphine and other illicit opioids. Most posts reported use of significantly lower amounts of buprenorphine (≤2 mg) than doses used in standard treatment. Concomitant use of other psychoactive substances was also commonly reported, which may present significant health risks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings highlight the usefulness of Web-based data in drug abuse research and add new information about lay beliefs about buprenorphine that may help inform prevention and policy measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Center for Interventions, Treatment, and Addictions Research (CITAR), Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: Raminta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daniulaityte
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Center for Interventions, Treatment, and Addictions Research (CITAR), Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, ADAPT, Roseburg, Oregon.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brigham
authors.affiliation: Ohio Center of Excellence in Knowledge-enabled Computing (Kno.e.sis), Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: Delroy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Ohio Center of Excellence in Knowledge-enabled Computing (Kno.e.sis), Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010098:Oxycodone; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D006853:Hydrocodone; D010098:Oxycodone