Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Abstract Background and aims Psychological and social status, and environmental context, may mediate the likelihood of experiencing overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise psychosocial factors associated with overdose among people who...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-00999-8 |
| _version_ | 1797199515026980864 |
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| author | Christopher J. Byrne Fabio Sani Donna Thain Emma H. Fletcher Amy Malaguti |
| author_facet | Christopher J. Byrne Fabio Sani Donna Thain Emma H. Fletcher Amy Malaguti |
| author_sort | Christopher J. Byrne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background and aims Psychological and social status, and environmental context, may mediate the likelihood of experiencing overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise psychosocial factors associated with overdose among people who use drugs. Methods This review was registered on Prospero (CRD42021242495). Systematic record searches were undertaken in databases of peer-reviewed literature (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar) for work published up to and including 14 February 2023. Reference lists of selected full-text papers were searched for additional records. Studies were eligible if they included people who use drugs with a focus on relationships between psychosocial factors and overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. Results were tabulated and narratively synthesised. Results Twenty-six studies were included in the review, with 150,625 participants: of those 3,383–4072 (3%) experienced overdose. Twenty-one (81%) studies were conducted in North America and 23 (89%) reported polydrug use. Psychosocial factors associated with risk of overdose (n = 103) were identified and thematically organised into ten groups. These were: income; housing instability; incarceration; traumatic experiences; overdose risk perception and past experience; healthcare experiences; perception of own drug use and injecting skills; injecting setting; conditions with physical environment; and social network traits. Conclusions Global rates of overdose continue to increase, and many guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions for dependent drug use. The factors identified here provide useful targets for practitioners to focus on at the individual level, but many identified will require wider policy changes to affect positive change. Future research should seek to develop and trial interventions targeting factors identified, whilst advocacy for key policy reforms to reduce harm must continue. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:16:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-02dffcbddbbe4ca1a8e6a6cadc8353dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:16:58Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-02dffcbddbbe4ca1a8e6a6cadc8353dc2024-04-21T11:13:23ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172024-04-0121112310.1186/s12954-024-00999-8Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesisChristopher J. Byrne0Fabio Sani1Donna Thain2Emma H. Fletcher3Amy Malaguti4Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of DundeeDivision of Psychology, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of DundeeDirectorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Kings Cross HospitalDirectorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Kings Cross HospitalDivision of Psychology, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of DundeeAbstract Background and aims Psychological and social status, and environmental context, may mediate the likelihood of experiencing overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise psychosocial factors associated with overdose among people who use drugs. Methods This review was registered on Prospero (CRD42021242495). Systematic record searches were undertaken in databases of peer-reviewed literature (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar) for work published up to and including 14 February 2023. Reference lists of selected full-text papers were searched for additional records. Studies were eligible if they included people who use drugs with a focus on relationships between psychosocial factors and overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. Results were tabulated and narratively synthesised. Results Twenty-six studies were included in the review, with 150,625 participants: of those 3,383–4072 (3%) experienced overdose. Twenty-one (81%) studies were conducted in North America and 23 (89%) reported polydrug use. Psychosocial factors associated with risk of overdose (n = 103) were identified and thematically organised into ten groups. These were: income; housing instability; incarceration; traumatic experiences; overdose risk perception and past experience; healthcare experiences; perception of own drug use and injecting skills; injecting setting; conditions with physical environment; and social network traits. Conclusions Global rates of overdose continue to increase, and many guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions for dependent drug use. The factors identified here provide useful targets for practitioners to focus on at the individual level, but many identified will require wider policy changes to affect positive change. Future research should seek to develop and trial interventions targeting factors identified, whilst advocacy for key policy reforms to reduce harm must continue.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-00999-8OverdosePsychosocialNarrative synthesisSystematic reviewDrug-related death |
| spellingShingle | Christopher J. Byrne Fabio Sani Donna Thain Emma H. Fletcher Amy Malaguti Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis Harm Reduction Journal Overdose Psychosocial Narrative synthesis Systematic review Drug-related death |
| title | Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| title_full | Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| title_short | Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| title_sort | psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to illicit drug use a systematic review and narrative synthesis |
| topic | Overdose Psychosocial Narrative synthesis Systematic review Drug-related death |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-00999-8 |
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