Longitudinal latent polysubstance use patterns among a cohort of people who use opioids in Vancouver, Canada

Original research
by
Karamouzian, Mohammad et al

Release Date

2023

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This study aims to identify person-centred longitudinal patterns of polysubstance use (PSU) among a cohort of people who use opioids (PWUO).

Findings/Key points

We found five distinct PSU patterns, including low/infrequent probability of regular substance use (Class 1; 30%), primarily opioid and methamphetamine use (Class 2; 22%), primarily cannabis use (Class 3; 15%), primarily opioid and crack use (Class 4; 29%) and frequent PSU (Class 5; 4%). Membership in Class 2, 4 and 5 was positively associated with several behavioural and socio-structural adversities.

Design/methods

Longitudinal data from three prospective cohort studies (n=2627)

Keywords

About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Stimulants