Clinical Characteristics of Treatment-seeking Prescription Opioid Vs. Heroin-using Adolescents with Opioid Use Disorder

Objectives: To compare the clinical characteristics of treatment-seeking prescription opioid-using adolescents with DSM-IV opioid use disorder (OUD) to those with heroin-using OUD adolescents.

Method: We analyzed the data on OUD adolescents (94, ages 14-18 years) extracted from the parent study dataset comparing clinical characteristics of treatment-seeking OUD to non-OUD adolescents from a adolescent substance abuse treatment program in Baltimore, MD. The sample consisted of 41 non-heroin prescription opioid-using and 53 heroin-using OUD adolescents who were assessed cross-sectionally using standardized interviews and self-reports. Chi-square and t-tests were performed to determine group differences on demographic, substance use, psychiatric and HIV-risk behaviors.

Results: Both groups were older (mean 17 years), predominantly Caucasian, and had a suburban residence; they had high rates of co-occurring psychiatric disorders (83%) and they reported moderately high depression symptoms. The heroin-using sample was more likely to have dropped out of school, be dependent on opioids and inject drugs using needles. The prescription opioid-using OUD youth were more likely to meet criteria for multiple SUDs (including prescription sedatives and psychostimulants), current ADHD and report selling drugs; and more likely to be court ordered to current treatment and report prior psychiatric treatment.

Conclusions: Both groups of treatment-seeking OUD adolescents had multiple comorbidities but there were substantial differences between prescription opioid-users and heroin-users. These differences may suggest different prognoses and treatment implications. Future research may shed light on the factors leading to differences in choice of opioids and their impact on treatment outcomes; and assess the role of agonist assisted treatments and integrated psychiatric care.