Using methamphetamines with opioids has been nicknamed “Goofball.” In a study of patients with opioid used disorder presenting to the Emergency Department, greater than 50% of the cohort with a urine screening positive for an amphetamine-type substance were white men who never married; were unemployed; had unstable housing; reported use of methamphetamine within 7 days of study admission; and reported injection drug use. What other demographic was discovered in 87% of this cohort of participants with untreated opioid use disorders who also used amphetamine substances?
87% had health insurance
Chawarski MC et al. Use of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Among Emergency Department Patients with Untreated Opioid Use Disorder. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2020:76:782-787.
Submitted by: Kirk Cumpston, DO, FAACT