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Use of withdrawal management services among people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada

Vipler S, Hayashi K, Milloy MJ, Wood E, Nosova E, Kerr T, Ti L

Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For many individuals with substance use disorders, the entry point for addiction treatment can be through withdrawal management (e.g. detoxification) services. However, little is known about the factors that predict withdrawal management service use among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD). Using data derived from two prospective cohorts of PWUD, we conducted a longitudinal data analysis of factors associated with use of withdrawal management services.

METHODS: Individuals participating in two cohorts of PWUD were prospectively followed between December 2005 and May 2016 in Vancouver, Canada. Bivariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations were used to examine factors associated with use of withdrawal management services.

RESULTS: Out of a total of 2001 participants, 339 (16.9%) individuals reported having been to a withdrawal management centre in the previous 6 months at some point during the study period. In multivariate analyses, male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.62, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.17-2.24), homelessness (AOR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.45-2.38), binge use of any substance (AOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08-1.67), having attended a supervised injection facility (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.3-2.11), and having accessed other addiction medicine treatment or supports (other than withdrawal management services or opioid agonist therapy; AOR: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.64-4.22) were positively associated with having accessed withdrawal management services, whereas…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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