Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers
Abstract Background As the opioid overdose crisis persists and take-home naloxone (THN) programmes expand, it is important that the intervention is targeted towards those most likely to use it. We examined THN program participants to 1) describe those that return for refills, specifically those that...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00647-z |
| _version_ | 1818239672923455488 |
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| author | Desiree Eide Philipp Lobmaier Thomas Clausen |
| author_facet | Desiree Eide Philipp Lobmaier Thomas Clausen |
| author_sort | Desiree Eide |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As the opioid overdose crisis persists and take-home naloxone (THN) programmes expand, it is important that the intervention is targeted towards those most likely to use it. We examined THN program participants to 1) describe those that return for refills, specifically those that reported multiple use (supersavers), and 2) to examine what rescuer characteristics were associated with higher rates of THN use. Methods This study included a cohort of consenting THN recipients from June 2014–June 2021 who completed initial and refill questionnaires from a widespread program in Norway. Age, gender, number of witnessed and experienced overdoses were assessed for associations with higher reported rates of THN use. ‘Supersavers’ reported 3 or more THN uses. Results A total of 1054 participants returned for a THN refill during the study period. Of these, 558 reported their last THN to have been used on an overdose. Supersavers (those that reported 3 or more THN uses) were younger, primarily reported current opioid use, and had witnessed higher rates of overdoses at the time of initial training when compared to non-supersavers (those that reported 0–2 THN uses). Conclusions THN programs should continue to emphasize and prioritize THN for people actively using drugs, particularly those who have witnessed overdoses previously. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:01:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fa5ddedf0494482ca76fbc3259019f1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:01:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-fa5ddedf0494482ca76fbc3259019f1b2022-12-22T00:23:46ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172022-06-011911610.1186/s12954-022-00647-zWho is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersaversDesiree Eide0Philipp Lobmaier1Thomas Clausen2Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of OsloNorwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of OsloNorwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of OsloAbstract Background As the opioid overdose crisis persists and take-home naloxone (THN) programmes expand, it is important that the intervention is targeted towards those most likely to use it. We examined THN program participants to 1) describe those that return for refills, specifically those that reported multiple use (supersavers), and 2) to examine what rescuer characteristics were associated with higher rates of THN use. Methods This study included a cohort of consenting THN recipients from June 2014–June 2021 who completed initial and refill questionnaires from a widespread program in Norway. Age, gender, number of witnessed and experienced overdoses were assessed for associations with higher reported rates of THN use. ‘Supersavers’ reported 3 or more THN uses. Results A total of 1054 participants returned for a THN refill during the study period. Of these, 558 reported their last THN to have been used on an overdose. Supersavers (those that reported 3 or more THN uses) were younger, primarily reported current opioid use, and had witnessed higher rates of overdoses at the time of initial training when compared to non-supersavers (those that reported 0–2 THN uses). Conclusions THN programs should continue to emphasize and prioritize THN for people actively using drugs, particularly those who have witnessed overdoses previously.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00647-zOpioidHeroinOverdoseHarm reductionSubstance use |
| spellingShingle | Desiree Eide Philipp Lobmaier Thomas Clausen Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers Harm Reduction Journal Opioid Heroin Overdose Harm reduction Substance use |
| title | Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers |
| title_full | Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers |
| title_fullStr | Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers |
| title_short | Who is using take-home naloxone? An examination of supersavers |
| title_sort | who is using take home naloxone an examination of supersavers |
| topic | Opioid Heroin Overdose Harm reduction Substance use |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00647-z |
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