TRI science addiction Profiles of OxyContin Users Deni Carise, PH.D. Treatment Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania San Antonio, TX. October, 2007

TRI science addiction OxyContin® work OxyContin®, the brand name of a time- release prescription opioid has a similar active ingredient found in several other prescription (Rx) opioids and in heroin. However, the media portrays users of OxyContin® as being more “drug naïve”, younger and more educated than individuals using other opioids such as heroin. TRI science addiction

TRI science addiction DENS OxyContin Data After numerous OxyContin issues headlines, DENS added questions about OxyContin to the system and began tracking OxyContin use among people presenting for treatment. TRI science addiction

TRI science addiction Media Stereotypes Rx opioid User Rx opioid User –Younger –White –More education –Higher SES –Drug naïve TRI science addiction

TRI science addiction Media Stereotypes Heroin UserHeroin User –Male –Minority –Lower SES –Drug experienced TRI science addiction

TRI science addiction OxyContin Questions TRI science addiction OxyContin (Oxy’s, OC’s) Cebacontin (CeeBee’s, CB’s) * Hydrocodone (Vicodan, Lortec, Lortab) Oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet, Tylox) Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) How many days in the past 30 have you used…? How many years did you regularly use….? Route of Use: Oral, Nasal, Smoking, IM, IV

TRI science addiction

TRI science addiction Significant Differences Prescription opioid users: Were younger & more likely to be employed full-time, female and white Had more medical hospitalizations and more family problems More likely to be awaiting legal charges Had longer histories of alcohol, sedative, and cannabis use

TRI science addiction Significant Differences Heroin users: Were older & more likely to be unemployed, male, and non-white Significantly fewer family problems Longer history of cocaine & amphetamine use Higher employment and drug composite scores

TRI science addiction Summary Among treatment seeking, sub. abusers: –Prescription opioid users did have different demographic and substance use backgrounds –Both groups had many significant health and social problems Differences may have implications in prevention and treatment