Background & objectives: We investigated gender differences in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving inpatient services and entering a randomized controlled trial comparing extended-release naltrexone to buprenorphine.
Methods: Participants (N = 570) provided demographic, substance use, and psychiatric information.
Results: Women were significantly younger, more likely to identify as bisexual, live with a sexual partner, be financially dependent, and less likely employed. Women reported significantly greater psychiatric comorbidity and risk behaviors, shorter duration but similar age of onset of opioid use.
Discussion/conclusions: Findings underscore economic, psychiatric, and infection vulnerability among women with OUD.
Scientific significance: Interventions targeting these disparities should be explored, as women may face complicated treatment initiation, retention, and recovery. (Am J Addict 2018;27:465-470).
© 2018 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.