Fatal attraction: A narrative of early opioid addiction

Abstract

Norway’s first clinic to treat drug abuse was established in 1961. Most patients had been initiated into drug use through the healthcare system, i.e., in an iatrogenic manner. However, we know little about the drug users from this period. Here, we present an in-depth interview with a woman born into a wealthy family in the early 1920s who developed a heavy morphine addiction. In the course of the interview, she gradually reveals how her husband, who was a physician, as well as two other physicians, who were also erotically attracted to her, had key roles in this development. The narrative illustrates and elaborates how females from the upper strata of society with close links to male physicians may have been at particular risk of opioid misuse in the period before 1960. We now witness a new wave of iatrogenic drug abuse, particularly in the USA. We suggest that experiences from this period may again be relevant.

Comorbidity and concurrence of problems: Overlooked, not under-researched

“…In order to really acquire insights into the complex and unique events that may lead to a life spent with addiction, I recommend to readers Willy Pedersen's account of an in-depth interview with a woman born in the early 1920s, who developed a heavy morphine addiction (Pedersen, 2019). In the course of the interview, she gradually reveals the ways in which her husband and physicians played key roles in the development of her addiction over time.…”

The experience of buprenorphine implant in patients with opioid use disorder: a series of narrative interviews

“…In this study, we report the interviews of five patients who had been using buprenorphine implants for at least 3 months. The methodology of NM was implemented via a semi-guided interview by prompting patients' narratives through planned questions, as well as via qualitative content analysis, as based on previous literature (16)(17)(18)(19). This study aimed to collect and compare patients' experiences before (during the time they were treated with daily oral OAT) and after the subcutaneous implant, through their narratives.…”