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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2017, 19, N4 (pages: 53 - 56)

Patterns of Prescription Drug Use and Misuse in Spain: The European Opioid Treatment Patient Survey

Fonseca F., Torrens M., Farré M., McBride K.E., Guareschi M., Touzeau D., Villeger P., Benyamina A., Dagnone O., Somaini L., Maremmani I., and Dart R.C.

Summary: Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the patterns of prescription drug misuse in a medication-assisted treatment centre (MAT) in Spain. Methods: Launched in October 2014, this study is based on patient self-report data collected at treatment programme intake past 90-day use and injection history for European market prescription opioids, prescription stimulants, prescription cannabinoids, heroin, and other prescription drugs, as well as basic demographic information, treatment history, and health care worker status. Results: A total of 101 surveys have been collected so far in Spain (69% males, 42±10 years). The main drugs reported at intake were heroin (51%), cocaine (26%), cannabis (11%), amphetamines (4%), benzodiazepines (3%), prescription opioids (3%), in addition to other substances (3%). The main routes of administration were smoking (34%), injection (30%), snorting (27%), and oral consumption (7%), while 2 subjects used transdermal patches (2%). A majority of subjects (63%) were abusing more than one substance. Conclusions: Initial data show that, in Spain, there is widespread concomitant abuse of prescription drugs, mainly benzodiazepines, prescription opioids and cannabis. A thorough knowledge of drug use patterns can provide information that will be useful in developing effective forms of prevention and treatment.