Journal article
Pain, alcohol use disorders and risky patterns of drinking among people with chronic non-cancer pain receiving long-term opioid therapy
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol.162, pp.79-87
2016
PMID: 27049582
Abstract
The utilisation of pharmaceutical opioids has increased internationally, and there is evidence of increasing risky alcohol consumption with ageing. This study examines the patterns and correlates of risky drinking among people with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) prescribed opioids, and the associations between alcohol consumption and pain.
The Pain and Opioids IN Treatment cohort comprises 1514 people in Australia prescribed pharmaceutical opioids for CNCP. Participants reported lifetime, past year and past month alcohol use, as well as mental and physical health, other substance use, pain characteristics, and current opioid dose.
Less than one-tenth of the sample were ‘lifetime abstainers’ (7%); 34% were ‘former drinkers’; 34% were ‘non-risky drinkers’ (i.e., past 12 month use ≤4 standard drinks); 16% were ‘occasional risky drinkers’; and 8% were ‘regular risky drinkers’ (i.e., ≥weekly use of >4 standard drinks). Males reported greater levels of alcohol use, and a third (33%) of the total sample reported a lifetime alcohol use disorder. Controlling for demographics, mental health, physical health and substance use disorder history, ‘former drinkers’ (cf. ‘non-risky drinkers’) reported higher pain severity and interference ratings, and lower pain coping. ‘Occasional risky drinkers’ and ‘regular risky drinkers’ (cf. ‘non-risky drinkers’) reported higher levels of pain interference.
Among people with CNCP, those who abstained from alcohol or drank at risky levels reported poorer pain outcomes compared with moderate drinkers. Early identification and intervention for risky drinking among people is critical, particularly given the risks associated with co-administration of alcohol and opioids.
Details
- Title
- Pain, alcohol use disorders and risky patterns of drinking among people with chronic non-cancer pain receiving long-term opioid therapy
- Authors
- Briony Larance (Author) - UNSW AustraliaGabrielle Campbell (Author) - UNSW AustraliaAmy Peacock (Author) - University of TasmaniaSuzanne Nielsen (Author) - UNSW AustraliaRaimondo Bruno (Author) - University of TasmaniaWayne Hall (Author) - University of QueenslandNicholas Lintzeris (Author) - University of SydneyMilton Cohen (Author) - UNSW AustraliaLouisa Degenhardt (Author) - UNSW Australia
- Publication details
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol.162, pp.79-87
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ireland Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.048
- ISSN
- 1879-0046
- PMID
- 27049582
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99473408102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Substance Abuse
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Source: InCites