Transition from nonmedical prescribed opioids to non-injection heroin use among young integrated Thai male users in Bangkok
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15332640
eISSN
15332659
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85139207338
Pubmed ID
36190323
Journal Title
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse (2022)
Suggested Citation
Hawangchu D., Rene Lamy F., Stephan Felix M., Phukao D. Transition from nonmedical prescribed opioids to non-injection heroin use among young integrated Thai male users in Bangkok. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse (2022). doi:10.1080/15332640.2022.2126421 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86282
Title
Transition from nonmedical prescribed opioids to non-injection heroin use among young integrated Thai male users in Bangkok
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Opioid use and misuse are understudied in Thailand despite evidence suggesting that a portion of young Thai male integrated drug users are initiating use of non-medical prescribed opioids with some transitioning to heroin. This study aims to capture and analyze the individual and social factors influencing these transitions. Twenty in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between December 2019 and January 2020 in the Bangkok metropolitan area with young male opioid users who transitioned to heroin. Sixteen respondents initiated opioid through a Tramadol cocktail named “YaPro” and tended to transition to heroin use within 21 months. The interaction of specific social and individual factors such as joining recreational activities, curiosity or experimentation gradually modified the opioid-related meanings, attitude and practices of Thai users, who ultimately transition to heroin use. These results indicate that drug prevention programs in Thailand should encompass young opioid users in their intervention and further research need to focus on nonmedical use of prescription opioids in Thailand.