“I just wanted to tell you that loperamide WILL WORK”: A web-based study of extra-medical use of loperamide.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012 Nov 29;
Daniulaityte R, Carlson R, Falck R, Cameron D, Perera S, Chen L, Sheth A

AIMS: Many websites provide a means for individuals to share their experiences and knowledge about different drugs. Such User-Generated Content (UGC) can be a rich data source to study emerging drug use practices and trends. This study examined UGC on extra-medical use of loperamide among illicit opioid users. METHODS: A website that allows for the free discussion of illicit drugs and is accessible for public viewing was selected for analysis. Web-forum posts were retrieved using web crawlers and retained in a local text database. The database was queried to extract posts with a mention of loperamide and relevant brand/slang terms. Over 1290 posts were identified. A random sample of 258 posts was coded using NVivo to identify intent, dosage, and side-effects of loperamide use. RESULTS: There has been an increase in discussions related to loperamide’s use by non-medical opioid users, especially in 2010-2011 Loperamide was primarily discussed as a remedy to alleviate a broad range of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and was sometimes referred to as “poor man’s” methadone. Typical doses ranged 70-100mg per day, much higher than an indicated daily dose of 16mg. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that loperamide is being used extra-medically to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. There is a growing demand among people who are opioid dependent for drugs to control withdrawal symptoms, and loperamide appears to fit that role. The study also highlights the potential of the Web as a “leading edge” data source in identifying emerging drug use practices.
HubMed – Methadone

Methadone diversion as a protective strategy: The harm reduction potential of ‘generous constraints’

Filed under: Methadone Detox

Int J Drug Policy. 2012 Nov 28;
Harris M, Rhodes T

Methadone maintenance treatment is evidenced as a successful harm reduction initiative in regard to the prevention of blood borne viruses and other injecting related harms. This is attributable to reductions in heroin use and injecting equipment sharing incidents, yet the means by which these are achieved are rarely elaborated. Methadone diversion is predominantly presented in a negative light; associated with overdose and other harms. In our qualitative London-based study with 37 people who inject drugs, 35 on substitution therapies, we found that methadone self regulation and diversion played a prominent role in helping participants to manage their drug use, prevent withdrawal, cement social relationships, and inadvertently protect against hepatitis C transmission. The ability of participants to enact these ‘indigenous harm reduction strategies’ was constrained to various degrees by their treatment dosing protocols. In this article we explore the strategies participants enacted with methadone, the role of ‘generous constraints’ in this enactment and the associated production and reduction of risk. In order to reengage people who inject drugs with harm reduction interventions, it is necessary for initiatives to take stock of the indigenous strategies that individuals are already utilising and – in the case of methadone self regulation – support them by the implementation of more generous constraints.
HubMed – Methadone

Minimum recommended physical activity, and perceived barriers and benefits of exercise in methadone maintained persons.

Filed under: Methadone Detox

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2012 Nov 28;
Caviness CM, Bird JL, Anderson BJ, Abrantes AM, Stein MD

Methadone-maintained persons are at increased risk for many physical and mental health disorders compared to the general population. Increased physical activity could offset these risks. We assessed physical activity level, and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise in a group of 305 methadone-maintained smokers. Mean participant age was 39.9years, 50.2% were male, 79.7% were non-Hispanic White, and mean body mass index was 29.8. Nearly 45% endorsed fair or poor physical health. Although participants perceived many benefits of exercise and few barriers, only 38% of participants met weekly recommendations for physical activity, and nearly 25% reported no physical activity. Those who met recommended guidelines were significantly more likely to endorse relapse prevention as a benefit of exercise. Motivating MMT patients to increase physical activity could have important physical, mental health, and drug treatment benefits.
HubMed – Methadone

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