Self-injuring behavior and mental illness in opioid-dependent patients treated with implant naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine in Western Australia
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
28678
Abstract
This study aims to compare rates of intentional self-harm (ISH) and other mental illness events in opioid-dependent patients treated implant naltrexone, with those treated with methadone or buprenorphine. Patients treated between 2001 and 2010 were linked with hospital, emergency (ED), outpatient mental health, and mortality records. Rates of health events were compared between the three groups using survival analysis and generalized estimating equations. Rates of suicide and ISH in patients treated with naltrexone were comparable to patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine. Rates of mental health and psychiatric hospital admissions, ED attendances, and outpatient mental health events were significantly lower in patients treated with methadone compared with naltrexone. Buprenorphine patients had higher rates of psychiatric admission, but lower rates of ED and outpatient mental health events compared with naltrexone patients. Naltrexone was associated with high rates of mental health events, however further controlled research is required.
DOI
10.1007/s11469-017-9856-6
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Kelty, E., & Hulse, G. (2018). Self-Injuring Behavior and Mental Illness in Opioid-Dependent Patients Treated with Implant Naltrexone, Methadone, and Buprenorphine in Western Australia. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(1), 187-198. doi:/10.1007/s11469-017-9856-6
Available here.