American Society of Addiction Medicine
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Lead: Polysubstance mortality trends in White and Black Americans during the opioid epidemic
Lead: Polysubstance mortality trends in White and Black Americans during the opioid epidemic
Lead: Polysubstance mortality trends in White and Black Americans during the opioid epidemic
Tuesday 6th February 2024
Explore polysubstance mortality trends and racial disparities during the opioid epidemic. Learn about policy implications and hear personal recovery stories.
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American Society of Addiction Medicine
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Get the buttons here!Polysubstance Mortality Trends and Racial Disparities in the Opioid Epidemic
Episode Overview
- Polysubstance use should be considered the norm in addiction treatment.
- Addressing racial disparities requires comprehensive prevention strategies.
- Specific measures are needed to address fentanyl-related overdoses.
- Online peer-led communities offer empathy, convenience, and anonymity for those with OUD.
- Overdose education and naloxone distribution must equitably reach target populations.
Overdose deaths frequently involve multiple substances and can’t simply be attributed to opioids
In this episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM', you'll dive into the pressing issue of polysubstance mortality trends among White and Black Americans during the opioid epidemic. Covering data from 1999 to 2018, the episode unpacks the three waves of the opioid crisis as characterised by the CDC: prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids. The discussion reveals stark differences in substance involvement and overdose trends between racial groups.
Psychostimulants and benzodiazepines were more commonly involved in overdoses among White individuals, while cocaine-related deaths were higher among Black individuals. Alarmingly, overdose deaths have surged faster among Black persons since 2013, emphasising that these fatalities often involve multiple substances, not just opioids. You'll also hear about policy implications derived from these findings, stressing the need to treat polysubstance use as the norm, address racial disparities through comprehensive prevention strategies, and implement measures specifically targeting fentanyl.
The episode doesn't stop there - it explores various other studies, including one on the potential role of online social media support communities for people with opioid use disorder (OUD). This qualitative study found strong support for peer-led online communities due to their empathy, convenience, and anonymity. Another highlight is a study on substance use overdose deaths among Black and Indigenous women in Wisconsin, revealing alarming increases in death rates.
The episode also covers research on brain aging in methamphetamine users and how methamphetamine use shortens telomere length in both humans and rats. Additionally, there's an insightful discussion on the equity of overdose education and naloxone distribution in Kentucky. The episode wraps up with a touching narrative from the New England Journal of Medicine, featuring Jennifer Foreman and her son Dylan Glover's journey through addiction and recovery.
They review available medications for opioid use disorder and stress the importance of harm reduction strategies. This episode is packed with critical information and heartfelt stories that shed light on the complexities of addiction and recovery. Don't miss out on these valuable insights - tune in to understand more about the multifaceted nature of substance use disorders.