Characteristics and experiences of buprenorphine-naloxone use among polysubstance users

Figures & data

Table 1. Comparison of bup-nx groups (n = 896).

	No Bup-nx Use (n = 223)	Lifetime Bup-nx Use (N = 241)	Recent Bup-nx Use (N = 432)
Average age	33a	31b	31b**
Male	53.4%	49.8%	55.6%
White	91.0% a	95.9%b	94.9%b
Never married	50.2%	49.0%	53.5%
Employed at least 1 month in the 6 months before program entry	64.6%	60.6%	55.3%
Education
Less than HS	15.2%	13.3%	14.8%
HS	43.9%	39.8%	41.0%
Some college +	40.8%	46.9%	44.2%
Anxiety symptoms	74.0%a	79.3%b	83.8%b*
Depression symptoms	71.7%a	72.6%a	79.6%b*
Overall health rated poor	22.1%a	25.0%a	34.9%b**
Chronic pain	29.6%a	21.6%b	28.7%a
Perceived homeless (n = 388)	38.6%a	41.5%b	46.8%b
Stayed on the street or living in car	23.2%	28.1%	30.8%
Stayed in a shelter	4.9%	7.9%	6.5%
Stayed temporarily with friends or family	72.0%	64.0%	62.7%
Any nights in jail	59.6%a	73.4%b	71.1%b**

*p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01; ***p ≤ .001.

Subscripts that differ indicate significant differences at p ≤ .05.

Table 2. Self-reported substance use among opioid/opiate users by bup-nx groups (n = 896).

Substance	No Bup-nx Use (n = 223)	Lifetime Bup-nx Use (N = 241)	Recent Bup-nx Use (N = 432)
Smoking	83%a	90%b	91.9% b**
E-cigs	20.2% a	29% b	31.3% b*
Alcohol intoxication	52.9%	51.5%	52.1%
Marijuana	55.2% a	53.1% a	64.4% b**
Benzodiazepines	36.8% a	42.3% a	62.5% b***
Barbiturates	7.6% a	6.6% a	13.4% b**
Stimulates, methamphetamine	48% a	47.3% a	68.8% b***
Cocaine	27.8% a	36.1% a	49.1% b***
Hallucinogens	8.1% a	8.3% a	14.4% b*
Inhalants	3.6%	2.9%	6.5%
Synthetic, designer drugs	12.1% a	7.5% a	18.3% b***
Average number of drug types used in past 6 months	3.4	3.6	5.9***

*p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01; ***p ≤ .001

Subscripts that differ indicate significant differences at p ≤ .05.

Table 3. Comparison of bup-nx experiences by bup-nx groups (n = 673).

	Lifetime Bup-nx Use (N = 241)	Recent Bup-nx Use (N = 432)
Method of obtaining bup-nx:**
Prescription only	7.1%	4.2%
Illegal only	68%	60%
Both prescriptions and illegal means	24.9%	35.9%
Bup-nx: **
Helped treat my drug problem	23.7%	25.2%
Had no effect on my drug problem	42.7%	31.5%
Made my drug problem worse	33.6%	43.3%
Overdosed while taking bup-nx with other drugs or alcohol	5.4%	10%*

*p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01

Table 4. Comparison of experiences among bup-nx users who obtained the drug from a physician.

	Lifetime Bup-nx Use (N = 241)	Recent Bup-nx Use (N = 432)
Obtained bup-nx by prescription	32%	40%*
Why prescribed:	(n = 77)	(n = 173)
Detox only	10.4%	7.5%
Long–term use to stay away from other drugs	32.5%	39.3%
Both for detox and long-term use	33.8%	37%
Reason not discussed	10.4%	8.7%
Don’t remember the reason it was prescribed	13%	7.5%
Did doctor:
Advise attending recovery support meetings or substance misuse treatment/counseling	70.1%	68.2%
Provide counseling about substance misuse	61%	61.8%
Did you:
Took other drugs or alcohol to get high while taking prescribed bup-nx	70.1%	83.8%*
Sold, traded, or gave away any of the prescribed bup-nx	84.4%	80.3%
Did the bup-nx:
Stop cravings	70.1%	69.9%
Prevent withdrawal symptoms	94.8%	93.6%
Make other drugs have less effect	64.9%	76.9%*
Help in any way at all	74%	79.8%
Free you up from having to hustle for drugs	66.2%	67.1%
Give a satisfactory high	53.2%	56.1%
Make other drugs feel more powerful	23.4%	31.8%
Main reasons for stopping bup-nx use:
Cost	41.6%	34.7%
Treatment program did not allow	19.5%	21.4%
Was not helping	22.1%	27.2%
Difficulty accessing clinic or physician where it was prescribed	16.9%	16.8%

*p ≤ .05

Table 5. Comparison of experiences among bup-nx users who obtained the drug illegally.

	Lifetime Bup-nx Use (N = 241)	Recent Bup-nx Use (N = 432)
Obtained bup-nx without a prescription	92.9%	95.8%
Bup-nx was used to:	(n = 224)	(n = 414)
Get through rough days until preferred drug could be obtained	84.8%	91.5%**
Get a high, a buzz, or to feel euphoria	73.7%	81.2%*
Increase high by increasing bup-nx amount	54.5%	64%*
Got information from other people and/or internet about how to boost bup-nx high	59.4%	66.4%

*p ≤ .05; **p ≤ .01