Generational and Gender Patterns of Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Black Adults

Introduction

Opioid-related overdose mortality disproportionally affects Black adults in Kentucky, particularly overdoses associated with prescription opioid misuse (POM). Black adults also face other consequences of POM, such as disparate health and legal outcomes. While several factors effect POM, such as generational factors and gender, these risk factors are understudied among Black adults with a history of POM. Current literature primarily focuses on White individuals who use opioids.

Method

The present study qualitatively examined reasons for POM, prescription opioids misused, how prescription opioids are obtained, and initiation of POM among Black adults using thematic analysis. Participants included a sample (n = 39) of Black adults from a southern state, stratified by gender and age across four cohorts: born (1) 1995–2001, (2) 1980–1994, (3) 1970–1979, and (4) 1955–1969.

Results

Results revealed similarities and differences in these themes across age cohorts and gender.

Conclusions

Implications for findings include the importance of culturally responsive interventions that utilize dual diagnosis treatment and idiographic approaches due to heterogeneous experiences with POM among Black adults.