Adverse Consequences of Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder Compared to Opioid Use Disorder Only. (3rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Aquino, Joao P.; Sofuoglu, Mehmet; Stefanovics, Elina; Rosenheck, Robert
• Is Part Of: American journal of drug and alcohol abuse. Volume 45:Number 5(2019:Sep.)
• Page Start: 527
• Page End: 537
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03
• Subjects: Cannabis -- opioid crisis -- opioids -- comorbidity -- substance use disorders -- addiction -- cannabis use disorder -- opioid use disorder; Drug abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Substance-abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2019.1607363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2990

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : While there is growing interest in the possibility that cannabis may be a partial substitute for opioids, studies have yet to examine whether individuals with co-occurring opioid and cannabis use disorders (OUD and CUD) have less risk of negative outcomes than those with OUD only. Objective : This study sought to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with co-occurring OUD and CUD to patients with OUD only, CUD only, and patients with any other drug use disorders. We hypothesized that co-occurring OUD and CUD would be associated with lower risk of inpatient admissions and emergency department (ED) visits, lower rates of homelessness, and fewer opioid prescriptions. Methods : Comparisons were based on bivariate analyses, logistic and linear multiple regression models of National Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data from Fiscal Year 2012. Results : Of the 234, 181 (94% male) patients diagnosed with drug use disorders, 8.6% were diagnosed with co-occurring OUD and CUD; 33.3% with OUD only; 26.5% with CUD only; and 31.6% with other drug use disorders. Compared to the OUD only group (Mean = 4.8 (SD = 8.84)), the group with co-occurring OUD and CUD was associated with a lower number of opioid prescriptions (Mean = 3.79 (SD = 8.22)) (d = −0.16), but higher likelihood of inpatient psychiatric admission (RR = 1.95) and homelessness (RR = 1.52), and no significant difference in ED visits. Conclusions : These data highlight the need to further investigate whether the complex effects of cannabis use on patients with OUD are counterbalanced by potential benefits of reduced in opioid prescribing.