@article{ref1,
title="Fentanyl abuse proportion in methadone maintenance treatment, and patients' knowledge about its risks",
journal="Journal of psychiatric research",
year="2024",
author="Sason, Anat and Adelson, Miriam and Schreiber, Shaul and Peles, Einat",
volume="173",
number="",
pages="254-259",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Fentanyl is not yet routinely monitored among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients in Israel. We aimed 1. to evaluate urine fentanyl proportion changes over 3 years and characterize patients' characteristics 2. To study patients' self-report on fentanyl usage, and compare knowledge about fentanyl risk, before and following brief educational intervention. <br><br>METHODS: Fentanyl in the urine of all current MMT patients was tested every 3 months year between 2021 and 2023, and patients with positive urine fentanyl were characterized. Current patients were interviewed using a fentanyl knowledge questionnaire (effects, indications, and risks) before and following an explanation session. <br><br>RESULTS: Proportion of fentanyl ranged between 9.8 and 15.1%, and patients with urine positive for fentanyl (September 2023) were characterized as having positive urine for pregabalin, cocaine, and benzodiazepine (logistic regression). Of the current 260 patients (87% compliance), 78(30%) self-reported of fentanyl lifetime use (&quot;Ever&quot;), and 182 &quot;never&quot; use. The &quot;Ever&quot; group had higher Knowledge scores than the &quot;Never&quot;, both groups improved following the explanatory session (repeated measure). The &quot;Ever&quot; group patients were found with urine positive for cannabis and benzodiazepine on admission to MMT, they were younger, did not manage to gain take-home dose privileges and had a higher fentanyl knowledge score (logistic regression). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of routine fentanyl tests, a high knowledge score, shorter duration in MMT, benzodiazepine usage on admission, and current cannabis usage, may hint of the possibility of fentanyl abuse.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-3956",
doi="10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.047",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.047"
}