Key characteristics and habits of the recreational opioid user

Anna Schinas, MSc; Shein Nanji, BSc; Kira Vorobej, MSc; Catherine Mills, MSc; Dawn Govier, BSc; Beatrice Setnik, PhD

doi:10.5055/jom.2019.0542

Authors

Anna Schinas, MSc
Shein Nanji, BSc
Kira Vorobej, MSc
Catherine Mills, MSc
Dawn Govier, BSc
Beatrice Setnik, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2019.0542

Keywords:

opioid, recreational drug user, human abuse potential, drug abuse history, abuse-deterrent formulation

Abstract

Objective: To identify key characteristics and habits of recreational opioid users.

Design: The data were compiled from volunteers who participated in clinical studies at a contract research organization in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Interventions: Data were collected from 5,018 male and female recreational opioid users via telephone and face-to-face screening interviews. Five recreational opioid users participated in a live interview broadcast on the internet.

Main outcome measures: Demographic data, recreational drug use history, routes of recreational drug administration, alcohol use, and smoking status. A subset of the demographic information and recreational drug use history was summarized separately using data collected between 2013 and 2016 from 114 recreational opioid users who were not dependent on opioids. Interview excerpts were included from five recreational opioid users who described their real-world experiences with drug abuse, including the impact of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations on their drug abuse behavior.

Results: The preferred route of administration of opioids was oral (52 percent), followed by intranasal (36 percent), intravenous (10 percent), and buccal (chewing on a patch; 2 percent). Other substances used included nicotine, alcohol, and non-opioid psychoactive drugs (primarily cannabis). Oxycodone was the most frequently reported opioid of abuse.

Conclusions: Recreational opioid users have distinct drug-related behaviors and preferences. Monitoring current trends and examining these behaviors is an important component to understand the potential safety risks associated with recreational opioid use.

Author Biographies

Anna Schinas, MSc

Principal Medical Writer, Early Phase, Clinical Division, INC Research Toronto, Inc. (part of Syneos Health), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Shein Nanji, BSc

Project Manager, Project Management Department, BioPharma Services, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kira Vorobej, MSc

Research Associate I, Early Phase, Clinical Division, INC Research Toronto, Inc. (part of Syneos Health), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Catherine Mills, MSc

Principal Data Analyst, Clinical Division, INC Research Toronto, Inc. (part of Syneos Health), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dawn Govier, BSc

Manager, Early Phase Data Research, Clinical Division, INC Research Toronto, Inc. (part of Syneos Health), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Beatrice Setnik, PhD

VP Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Division, INC Research, Inc. (part of Syneos Health), Raleigh, North Carolina

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