Gender and racial/ethnic differences in addiction severity, HIV risk, and quality of life among adults in opioid detoxification: Results from the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network.
Detoxification often serves as an initial contact for treatment and represents an opportunity for engaging patients in aftercare to prevent relapse. However, there is limited information concerning clinical profiles of individuals seeking detoxification, and the opportunity to engage patients in detoxification for aftercare often is missed. This study used data from protocols CTN-0001 and CTN-0002 to examine clinical profiles of a geographically diverse sample of opioid-dependent adults in detoxification to discern the treatment needs of a growing number of women and whites with opioid addiction and to inform interventions aimed at improving use of aftercare or rehabilitation. Gender and racial/ethnic differences in addiction severity, HIV risk, and quality of life were examined. Results found that women and whites were more likely than men and African Americans to have greater psychiatric and family/social relationship problems, and to report poorer health-related quality of life and functioning. White and Hispanics exhibited higher levels of total HIV risk scores and risky injection drug use scores than African Americans, and Hispanics showed a higher level of unprotected sexual behaviors than whites. African Americans were more likely than whites to use heroin and cocaine, and to have more severe alcohol and employment problems. These results highlight the need to monitor an increased trend of opioid addiction among women and whites and to develop effective combined psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments to meet the diverse needs of the expanding opioid-abusing population. Elevated levels of HIV risk behaviors among Hispanics and whites also warrant more research to delineate mechanism and reduce their risky behaviors.
Supported by the Duke Clinical Research Institute (CTN DSC 1).
Related protocols: CTN-0001, CTN-0002