Nonmedical Use of Antihistaminergic Anxiolytics and Other Prescription Drugs among Persons with Opioid Dependence
Table 5
Motivation for use of prescription drugs in general and in combination with strong opioids (heroin, methadone, and buprenorphine). Not mutually exclusive. Presented as n (% of persons reporting lifetime use/combined use).
Characteristic
Benzodiazepines
Pregabalin
z-drugs
Promethazine
Hydroxyzine
Alimemazine
Prescription opioids
Prescription stimulants
Motives for use of prescription
Recreational use (“get high”)
16/62 (26%)
7/26 (27%)
14/62 (23%)
0
2/45 (4%)
2/52 (4%)
21/60 (35%)
7/24 (29%)
Relieve physical problems
12/62 (19%)
3/26 (12%)
2/62 (3%)
0
0
1/52 (2%)
29/60 (48%)
1/24 (4%)
Relieve emotional problems
43/62 (69%)
17/26 (65%)
18/62 (29%)
22/50 (44%)
24/45 (53%)
20/52 (39%)
11/60 (18%)
0
Other motives
17/62 (27%)
5/26 (19%)
37/62 (60%)
25/50 (50%)
16/45 (36%)
28/52 (54%)
18/60 (30%)
14/24 (58%)
Additional effect from combining prescription drugs with
42/59 (71%)
11/17 (65%)
31/46 (67%)
8/25 (32%)
4/20 (20%)
9/30 (30%)
25/41 (61%)
5/13 (39%)
values for prescription stimulants; for alimemazine; for promethazine; and for hydroxyzine. values for pregabalin; for promethazine, alimemazine, and prescription stimulants; for z-drugs; for benzodiazepines and hydroxyzine; and for prescription opioids.
