Introduction
The opioid epidemic in the U.S. continues to increase in severity, and misuse of prescription
opioids is of particular concern since it commonly precedes heroin use. This study
examined whether sexual orientation (i.e., sexual identity and sexual attraction)
is a risk factor for prescription opioid misuse and use disorder among a nationally
representative sample of adults in the U.S.
Methods
This study used data from adult participants (ages ≥18 years) in the 2015 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health. Chi-square tests and logistic regression examined how
sexual identity and sexual attraction relate to past-year and past-month prescription
opioid misuse and past-year prescription opioid use disorder. Multivariable models
examined associations controlling for demographic characteristics and other drug use.
Gender-stratified analyses were also conducted. Data were analyzed in 2018.
Results
In multivariable analyses, compared with those identifying as heterosexual, bisexual
individuals were at 1.53 (95% CI=1.20, 1.97) and 1.66 (95% CI=1.14, 2.42) higher odds
of reporting past-year and past-month misuse, respectively. In stratified analyses,
female bisexuals remained at high risk. Regarding sexual attraction, compared with
being attracted to only the opposite sex, being attracted to mostly the opposite sex
(AOR=2.15, 95% CI=1.77, 2.63) or being equally attracted to both sexes (AOR=1.78,
95% CI=1.38, 2.30) were associated with higher odds for past-year opioid misuse. In
stratified analyses, these associations were limited to females.
Conclusions
Sexual orientation disparities in opioid misuse and use disorder among a nationally
representative sample of U.S. adults was found.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 19, 2018
Identification
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© 2018 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
