Cannabis use in patients treated for opioid use disorder pre- and post-recreational cannabis legalization in Canada.

Background: As the legalization of recreational cannabis becomes more widespread, its impact on individuals with substance use disorders must be studied. Amidst an ongoing opioid crisis, Canada's legalization of recreational cannabis in October 2018 provides an important setting for investigation. We examined changes to cannabis use patterns in patients receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) following legalization.

Are patients' goals in treatment associated with expected treatment outcomes? Findings from a mixed-methods study on outpatient pharmacological treatment for opioid use disorder.

Objectives: Existing methods of measuring effectiveness of pharmacological treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) are highly variable. Therefore, understanding patients' treatment goals is an integral part of patient-centred care. Our objective is to explore whether patients' treatment goals align with a frequently used clinical outcome, opioid abstinence.

Withdrawal-associated injury site pain prevalence and correlates among opioid-using people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

Background: Pain can return temporarily to old injury sites during opioid withdrawal. The prevalence and impact of opioid withdrawal-associated injury site pain (WISP) in various groups is unknown.

Methods: Using data from observational cohorts, we estimated the prevalence and correlates of WISP among opioid-using people who inject drugs (PWID).

Canadian Guidelines on Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults.

Background: In Canada, rates of hospital admission from opioid overdose are higher for older adults (≥ 65) than younger adults, and opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing concern. In response, Health Canada commissioned the Canadian Coalition of Seniors' Mental Health to create guidelines for the prevention, screening, assessment, and treatment of OUD in older adults.

Methods: A systematic review of English language literature from 2008-2018 regarding OUD in adults was conducted.

Treatment of alcohol use disorder among people of South Asian ancestry in Canada and the United States: A narrative review.

To explore access and treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among people of South Asian ancestry living in Canada or the United State, EQUATOR guidelines were applied to 34 manuscripts identified through an English language literature search (1946-2017) for this narrative review. The population studied has poor access to and engagement with treatment for AUD. Early evidence suggests benefit from adopting language-specific materials, offering South Asian-specific therapy groups, and incorporating traditional healers.

Identifying patient-important outcomes in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder patients: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Illicit opioid use has become a national crisis in Canada, with over 65 000 people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Ontario and British Columbia alone. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a common treatment for OUD. There is substantial variability in treatment outcomes used to evaluate effectiveness of MAT, making it difficult to establish clinically and scientifically relevant treatment effect.

Linking opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal-associated injury site pain: a case report.

Introduction And Objectives: Understanding the details of one individual's experience with pain, opioid use and withdrawal may generate insights into possible relationships between opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal-associated injury site pain (WISP).

Methods: This case study was extracted from a mixed methods study that characterized WISP. In 2014, the individual was recruited from a primary care clinic that prescribes opioid agonist therapy.

Hospitalization among street-involved youth who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada: a longitudinal analysis.

Background: Street-involved youth who use illicit drugs are at high risk for health-related harms; however, the profile of youth at greatest risk of hospitalization has not been well described. We sought to characterize hospitalization among street-involved youth who use illicit drugs and identify the most frequent medical reasons for hospitalization among this population.

Methods: From January 2005 to May 2016, data were collected from the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), a prospective cohort study of street-involved youth in Vancouver, Canada.

Fentanyl and heroin contained in seized illicit drugs and overdose-related deaths in British Columbia, Canada: An observational analysis.

Background: Due to the alarming rise in opioid-related overdose deaths, a public health emergency was declared in British Columbia (BC). In this study, we examined the relationship between illicit fentanyl and heroin found in seized drugs and illicit overdose deaths in BC.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted using BC data from Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service, which analyzes drug samples seized by law enforcement agencies, and non-intentional illicit overdoses from the BC Coroner's Service, from 2000 to 2016.

Withdrawal-associated injury site pain (WISP): a descriptive case series of an opioid cessation phenomenon.

Withdrawal pain can be a barrier to opioid cessation. Yet, little is known about old injury site pain in this context. We conducted an exploratory mixed-methods descriptive case series using a web-based survey and in-person interviews with adults recruited from pain and addiction treatment and research settings.

Impact of incarceration on rates of methadone use in a community recruited cohort of injection drug users.

Background: Despite barriers to its use in many settings, opioid agonist therapy with methadone has become the standard of care for treating opioid (e.g. heroin) use disorder.

Gender influences on hepatitis C incidence among street youth in a Canadian setting.

Purpose: Few studies have examined gender-based differences in the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among street-involved youth. We compared rates of HCV infection among male and female street-involved youth in a Canadian setting.

Methods: The At-Risk Youth Study is a prospective cohort of drug-using street-involved youth.

A physician peer support writing group.

Background And Objectives: Barriers to publication can be overcome through a peer support writing group in an academic department of family practice. This study describes the experience and outcomes of a writing group in a family practice department.

Methods: A writing group was established to provide collaboration in identifying potential research and/or writing projects, to assist individual faculty to complete unfinished work for submission, to match journals appropriate to the individual group member's work, and to provide peer support for faculty members through attention to group process.