Abstract
Background. This presentation reports the prevalence of the opioid primary substance of abuse in patients entering drug-addiction treatment in Italy stressing geographical differences between Northern and Southern Italy. Methods. This was a cross-sectional observational study. The data was collected prospectively, during the years 2012–2013. The Opioids' Survey Questionnaire was administered in a 18-month survey to all patients entering all kind of drug-addiction treatment in two National Health Drug Addiction Units, in Northern and Southern Italy. Results. Substitution medication (methadone and buprenorphine) were the most utilized primary substances of abuse when patients were looking for an Agonist Opioid Treatment. This use is higher in Northern Italy than in Southern Italy. The use of Pain Killers was less frequent. Combined use of heroin, pain killers and medication was more frequent in Northern Italy. Conclusions. Geographical and cultural aspects may be involved in combined use of street opioids, diverted substitution medications and pain killers (prescription opioids) before entering an Opioid Agonist Treatment.
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