More than half of patients who report \u201cweekend-only\u201d drug use end up expanding their drug use to weekdays, too, suggesting that primary care clinicians should monitor patients who acknowledge recreational drug use, according to a new study by Boston University School of Public Health (SPH) and School of Medicine researchers.<\/p>\n
The study, published in the journal \u201cAnnals of Family Medicine\u201d and led by Judith Bernstein, professor of community health sciences at SPH, recommends that clinicians use \u201ccaution in accepting recreational drug use as reassuring,\u201d and that they conduct \u201ccontinued episodic monitoring\u201d of patients who report weekend-only drug use.<\/p>\n
The study followed 483 patients at Boston Medical Center who reported using drugs in the previous month and who completed a follow-up visit six months later. Of those who reported weekend-only use initially, 19.2 percent retained that pattern six months later, while 54 percent were using drugs on other days of the week.<\/p>\n
Drugs most commonly used included marijuana, cocaine, and opioids.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese findings suggest the importance of periodic monitoring of \u2018recreational\u2019 drug use,\u201d the study said. \u201cA single-question standardized screen can be used to elicit necessary information.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bernstein said in a news release the findings indicate that weekend-only drug use \u201cfrequently progresses into daily use, and warrants continued monitoring\u201d by clinicians.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real message of this paper is a monitoring message,\u201d she said. Primary care providers \u201care in a position to support positive behavioral change, as well as to address increases in drug-use intensity as an integral part of their role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Illegal drug use among primary care patients is estimated at 5 percent to 8 percent, but often goes undetected. Any drug use may have an impact on disease processes and the effectiveness of prescribed medication, the study stated.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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