Alternate Routes of Administration and Risk for HIV Among Prescription Opioid Abusers

Author(s)

Hilary L. Surratt, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Steven P. Kurtz, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Theodore J. Cicero, Washington University in St. LouisFollow

ORCID ID

0000-0003-4027-7840, 0000-0002-4716-3398

ResearcherID

K-3072-2014, H-3010-2014

Publication Title

Journal of Addictive Diseases

ISSN

1055-0887

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

Route of administration is an important contributor to the adverse health consequences of prescription medication abuse. The current study examines characteristics associated with non-oral routes of administration among a large sample of prescription opioid abusers and explores needle-related human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors as well. In the study, 791 opioid abusers completed a one-time structured interview, including complete histories of illicit and prescription drug abuse and route of drug administration. The most common method of pill use was oral (91%), followed by intranasal (53.1%), injection (23.8%), and smoking (14.5%). The youngest prescription opioid abusers, ages 18-24, displayed significantly higher odds of using alternate routes of administration and of reusing nonsterile needles for injection. HIV prevention programming should be developed for young prescription opioid injectors.

DOI

10.1080/10550887.2011.609805

Volume

30

Issue

4

First Page

334

Last Page

341

NSUWorks Citation

Surratt, H. L., Kurtz, S. P., & Cicero, T. J. (2011). Alternate Routes of Administration and Risk for HIV Among Prescription Opioid Abusers. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 30 (4), 334-341. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2011.609805