Non-medical use of prescription drugs among illicit drug users: A case study on an online drug forum

Abstract

The forum works as a platform for harm reduction inspired exchange of knowledge. However, the user community's knowledge sharing practices can generate a shared perception of a sufficient or even superior drug use experience and knowledge. This may lead to overdoses and other risky behaviour, and thereby contribute to increased harms related to non-medical use of prescription drugs.

Forensic Toxicology Perspectives of Methadone‐associated Deaths in Tehran, Iran, a 7‐year Overview

“…Non‐medical use of pharmaceutical drugs is a significant problem in many countries and Iran . Replacement of illicit drugs with psychoactive prescription drugs (methadone, tramadol and buprenorphine) has led to greater demand for addiction treatment and also death . Methadone, tramadol, opioid alkaloids, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines were detected in the majority of cases in poly substance use pattern in the present study.…”

“…This increase may be due to several factors such as increased tendency for opiate substitution therapy including methadone and the rise in methadone use . An other reason is the leakage of drugs from legitimate centres to drug grey/black market, drug diversion from opioid substitution treatment to non‐medical use and selling or sharing the medication by the patients . Even though the efficacy of methadone for addiction treatment has been well‐established, it is one of the regulated drugs.…”

“…It may be suggested that the cause of death of many cases in the current study was the cardiotoxic effect of methadone ameliorated by concomitant use of methamphetamine. Non‐medical use of pharmaceutical drugs is a significant problem in many countries and Iran . Replacement of illicit drugs with psychoactive prescription drugs (methadone, tramadol and buprenorphine) has led to greater demand for addiction treatment and also death .…”

Developing expertise, customising sleep, enhancing study practices: exploring the legitimisation of modafinil use within the accounts of UK undergraduate students

“…Students reported different depths of and sources for research, but all concurred that information was abundant and easily accessible. While some turned to Wikipedia, others examined primary peer-reviewed papers to conduct their own analyses of risk-benefit ratios in order to develop what Rönkä and Katainen (2017) call ‘pharmaceutical competences’ that were different in kind to ‘lay pharmacology’ (Webster et al., 2009) constituted through bodily experiences. Several respondents described the scientific nature of their degree as having a role in shaping their research into study drugs: ‘coming from a medical sciences background […] it would be warped of me to not know what I was taking before I started taking it’ (R9, user).…”

“…Such expertise is not only displayed to others, but can also form part of how the use actually occurs. In research by Rönkä and Katainen (2017), the discourse of internet forum users indicates how scientific and experiential expertise contributes to developing ‘pharmaceutical competences’ (Rönkä & Katainen, 2017: 62) and is brought to bear on consumption practices. Penn (2014) has illuminated how experiential knowledge of the effects of illegal drugs on bodies can also be leveraged to intervene in political campaigns that in Canada have reshaped legal access to cannabis.…”