Binge drinking and opioids

Data from questionnaires from 160,812 people (aged ≥12 years) about prescription opioid misuse and alcohol consumption were assessed in a recent study that analysed self-reported past-30-days prescription opioid misuse by sociodemographic characteristics, other substance use and alcohol consumption. 1.6% all respondents aged ≥12 years (estimated 4.2 million) reported prescription opioid misuse, and thee figure was higher – 3.5% (95% CI=3.3, 3.8) amongst binge drinkers (estimated 2.2 million) . Prescription opioid misuse was more common among binge drinkers than among non-drinkers (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.5, 1.9). It would appear that binge-drinking is another clinical factor that seems to be associated with a problematic pattern of opioid use. Read more, in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, here.