Opioid agonist therapy engagement and crystal methamphetamine use: The impact of unregulated opioid use in Vancouver, Canada

Original research
by
Cui, Zishan et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We sought to examine the relationship between OAT engagement and crystal methamphetamine use and to assess if this relationship differs according to the ongoing use of unregulated opioids.

Findings/Key points

Multivariable analyses showed that compared to those who had not received OAT for at least one year: in the absence of ongoing unregulated opioid use, individuals who recently discontinued, newly initiated, or were retained on OAT reported a lower frequency of crystal methamphetamine use; in the presence of ongoing unregulated opioid use, individuals who newly initiated OAT reported a greater crystal methamphetamine use frequency.

Design/methods

Data was collected from two harmonized ongoing prospective cohorts of people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2005 and March 2020.

Keywords

Substitution/OAT
Stimulants
Illegal drugs
About PWUD
Transitions in care/treatment