261351 Health risks and mental health problems associated with prescription opioid and benzodiazepine abusing men

Monday, October 29, 2012

Mance E. Buttram, MA , Division of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Coral Gables, FL
Steven P. Kurtz, PhD , Division of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Coral Gables, FL
Hilary L. Surratt, PhD , Center for Applied Research on Substance Use & Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL
Aims: To examine health and social characteristics of high risk Rx (opioid and benzodiazepine) abusing men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in a behavioral intervention clinical trial.

Methods: Computer-assisted personal interviews included well-tested, comprehensive measures of substance use and health and social risks. Eligible MSM were 18-55 years old and reported heavy drug and/or alcohol use and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the past 90 days (N=515).

Results: The sample included non-Hispanic White (N=250), African American/Black (N=110), and Hispanic (N=133) MSM. Median age was 40. 129 (25%) men reported current (past 90 days) prescription opioid abuse and 177 (34%) reported current prescription benzodiazepine abuse. We found no differences in prescription drug abuse in terms of race/ethnicity, age, education, physical health, HIV status, or income. Current prescription drug abusing MSM were more likely to report severe mental distress (p<.011), being high during sex (p<.018), substance dependence (p<.000), current stimulant use (p<.000), and drug injection (p<.011) than non-Rx abusers. Methamphetamine was the most prevalent injected drug. Opioid abusers were also more likely to report a previous mental health diagnosis (P = .048) than non opioid abusers. Benzodiazepine abusers were also more likely to report UAI (p=.009) and more mean sex partners (p=.003) than non benzodiazepine abusers.

Conclusions: High risk MSM appear to have widespread access to non-prescribed pharmaceutical medications. Abusers of Rx opioid and benzodiazepines report higher levels of prior and ongoing health risks and mental health problems than their non-abusing counterparts.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
-Explain how prescription drug abuse may be stimulant use. -Identify potential health risks for MSM related to prescription drug abuse. -Discuss possible intervention approaches to reduce health risk behaviors and increase social support among prescription drug abusing MSM.

Keywords: Prescription Drug Use Patterns, Male Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Project Director of this federally funded behavioral intervention clinical trial focusing on substance use and HIV transmission risk.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3384.0: Addressing Prescription Drug Use & Abuse