PREDICTION OF OPIOID USE

Abbreviated Summary

Name of Project:  Identifying Risk Factors for Opioid Addiction

Problem Statement: Currently, opioid addiction has reached epidemic proportions in both rural and urban settings within the United States. (Young, Havens, & Leukefeld, 2012, p. 220-227.)

The development of a screening tool that can be utilized by health care providers to assist in determining the risk factors for opioid and multigenerational addiction in vulnerable populations may demonstrate a decrease in the number of patients whom may become addicted to opioids and promote self-awareness for patients to decrease the potential to become addicted.

Purpose of the Study: The primary aim of this study is to survey participants in the Hocking County Drug Court Program and identify risk factors and/or traits for people with an opioid addiction. Identification of patients who exhibit risk factors for opioid addiction prior to any medical (pain, opioid) treatment may provide insight and assistance to Primary Care Providers in the community setting who care for and prescribe medications for these patients.

Research Question-

1. Are there identifiable risk factors for patients who may have the potential to become addicted to opioid medications?
2. Can a survey instrument be developed to identify potential risk factors for opioid addiction?

Subject Selection: Purposive sampling

Inclusion Criteria:

• Opioid Substance Use Disorder
• Participants attending Drug Court
• Males
• Females
• 18 years of age and older
• All races and ethnic backgrounds

Method of Study: The survey design will involve a purposive sample of participants in Judge Fred Moses Drug Court. The current surveys available will be used to create a survey that will assess risk of opioid substance abuse. Current literature suggests that there has been several screening tools developed to assess patients with substance use disorders, such as CAGE (questionnaire, Opioid Risk Tool (brief self-report screening tool that is for use with patients in primary care settings to assess risk for opioid abuse amongst individuals prescribed opioids with chronic pain), National Institute on drug abuse screening tool, CRAFFT screening interview (mnemonic acronym of first letters of key words in six screening questions for children below the age of 21) Audit C,(3-item alcohol screening), DAST-10,(Drug Abuse Screening Test), (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017). After review of each of these screening tools, not one was specific to identify risk factors for opioid addiction, race or ethnicity background.

The individuals will be interviewed while attending Judge Fred Moses Drug Court, post court proceedings. The participants will be provided a 12 question survey which will aid to identify risk factors for opioid addiction. Identification of risk factors for people with opioid addiction can assist in the further development of a screening tool.

a.) Where: Setting will be in Hocking County Drug Court, 105 West Hunter Street, Ohio 43138, located in Judge Fred Moses court room held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. This setting is chosen because the participants are in court because of drug abuse. The setting will assist with purposeful sampling.

Funds

Funds are being requested to provide compensation for individuals recruited into the study. The participants will receive $10.00 cash. to compensate for their time. In addition, funds are requested to visit the location on several occasions as well as data storage and follow up with electronic medical record and health care providers.