@article{ref1,
title="Reasons for not entering opioid agonist treatment: a survey among high-risk opioid users in Finland",
journal="Nordic studies on alcohol and drugs",
year="2024",
author="Prami, Tuire and Pölkki, Mari and Ruotsalainen, Jarno and Nordbeck, Elin Banke and Meyner, Susanna and Kaski, Ari",
volume="41",
number="2",
pages="200-211",
abstract="Aims: To characterise and understand the untreated high-risk opioid user population in Finland, and to determine the reasons why these people do not enter treatment. <br><br>METHODS: The study setting was a half-year cross-sectional survey in Finland during 2021-2022. An electronic questionnaire with 24 structured questions was concluded in 16 needle exchange units. Participants were opioid-dependent people without opioid agonist treatment (OAT), and they answered the survey voluntarily and anonymously. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 167 respondents, 62% were men, 53% were aged ≤34 years, 66% had used opioids for >6 years, and 78% used drugs intravenously (IV) daily. The most used opioid (95%) was buprenorphine. Most respondents used opioids as self-medication for withdrawal symptoms (75%), or to treat psychological symptoms (59%) or pain (43%). Of them, 70% also used other substances for recreational purposes. The most common named reasons to stay outside OAT were as follows: seeking treatment is too difficult (37%); treatment is too binding (36%); and fear of actions from authorities (23%). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: For opioid-dependent respondents who would be eligible for OAT in Finland, treatment awareness is limited. These high-risk opioid users also think that the treatment would be too binding. In conclusion, there is a need for increase in general information about, accessibility to, acceptance for and individualisation of OAT.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1455-0725",
doi="10.1177/14550725231204723",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/14550725231204723"
}