Changing Trends in Nonmedical Gabapentin Use Among a Cohort of Rural Appalachian People Who Use Drugs: A Longitudinal Study Over the Time Period of Scheduling Changes in Kentucky

IF 4.4 2区医学 Q1 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

International Journal of Drug Policy Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104904

KaraLynne Cook , Jennifer R. Havens , Svetla Slavova , Katherine Thompson , April M. Young , Rachel A. Vickers-Smith

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Recently, nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use has increased in the United States, leading to its classification as schedule V substance in Kentucky in 2017. This paper examines patterns in nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use in people who use drugs (PWUD) over the time of scheduling changes.

Methods

Longitudinal data (2008–2020) from the Social Networks among Appalachian People (SNAP) study were analyzed. SNAP participants (n = 503) met criteria of being ≥ 18 years old, residing in Appalachian Kentucky, and reporting recent nonmedical prescription opioid, methamphetamine, cocaine, or heroin use. A mixed-effects logistic regression model assessed changes in nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use over time. Independent variables included baseline demographics and time-varying measures of age, disability status, insurance, and recent nonmedical substance use. Changes in gabapentin (Neurontin) sourcing before and after scheduling were assessed using chi-square and McNemar’s tests.

Results

Nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use increased significantly (aOR = 3.51, 95 % CI: 2.91–4.24), from 0 % in 2008 to 56 % in 2020. By 2020, gabapentin (Neurontin) use exceeded that of prescription opioids. Before scheduling, most (55 %) participants obtained gabapentin (Neurontin) from regulated sources; afterward, this dropped to one-third (p < 0.001). A within-person analysis confirmed a significant decline in regulated sources (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Nonmedical gabapentin (Neurontin) use continued to rise post-scheduling, with sources shifting from regulated to unregulated. These findings highlight potential unintended consequences of scheduling policies on access and distribution.

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在阿巴拉契亚农村吸毒人群中非医疗加巴喷丁使用的变化趋势：肯塔基州时间表变化期间的纵向研究

最近，非医用加巴喷丁（Neurontin）在美国的使用有所增加，导致其在2017年在肯塔基州被列为附表V物质。本文探讨了非药物加巴喷丁（Neurontin）在用药人群（PWUD）中使用的模式。方法对2008-2020年阿巴拉契亚人社会网络（SNAP）研究的纵向数据进行分析。SNAP参与者（n = 503）符合≥18岁，居住在肯塔基州阿巴拉契亚地区，并报告最近使用非医疗处方阿片类药物，甲基苯丙胺，可卡因或海洛因的标准。混合效应logistic回归模型评估了非药物加巴喷丁（Neurontin）使用随时间的变化。独立变量包括基线人口统计和随时间变化的年龄、残疾状况、保险和最近的非医疗物质使用。采用卡方检验和McNemar检验评估加巴喷丁（Neurontin）用药前后的变化。结果非医用加巴喷丁（Neurontin）使用率从2008年的0%上升至2020年的56% （aOR = 3.51, 95% CI: 2.91 ~ 4.24）。到2020年，加巴喷丁（Neurontin）的使用量超过处方阿片类药物。在计划之前，大多数（55%）参与者从管制来源获得加巴喷丁（Neurontin）；之后，这一比例降至三分之一(p <；0.001)。内部分析证实了管制源的显著下降（p = 0.01）。结论非医用加巴喷丁（Neurontin）的使用在用药后持续增加，用药来源由管制转为不管制。这些发现突出了调度策略对访问和分发的潜在意外后果。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Drug Policy SUBSTANCE ABUSE-

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

11.40%

发文量

307

审稿时长

62 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Drug Policy provides a forum for the dissemination of current research, reviews, debate, and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context. It seeks to publish material on the social, political, legal, and health contexts of psychoactive substance use, both licit and illicit. The journal is particularly concerned to explore the effects of drug policy and practice on drug-using behaviour and its health and social consequences. It is the policy of the journal to represent a wide range of material on drug-related matters from around the world.