Potentially traumatic events and the association with hazardous alcohol use in 19,128 middle aged and elderly adults: the Tromsø Study 2015-2016.

Purpose: The aim was to examine the association between a wide range of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) experienced in childhood, adulthood or both, and hazardous alcohol use, including the relationship between the total sum of PTEs and hazardous alcohol use in middle aged and elderly adults. Previous studies have predominantly focused on childhood PTEs or isolated PTEs and more severe alcohol problems, little focus has been given to middle aged and elderly adults with hazardous alcohol use and PTE experiences.

Methods: We used logistic regression analysis to study the relation between a broad range of PTEs and hazardous alcohol defined by the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) in 19,128 women and men aged 40 years and above participating in the seventh survey of the Norwegian population-based Tromsø Study in 2015-2016.

What is known about persons with co-occurring problems' experiences with supported housing, recovery, and health promotion? A scoping review.

Background: Having a home is the foundation of most people's lives. People with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems may experience challenges in acquiring and keeping housing. Many also have major health challenges.

Recommendations for implementing digital alcohol interventions in primary care: lessons learned from a Norwegian feasibility study.

Introduction: Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading global risk factor for ill-health and premature death. Digital alcohol interventions can be effective at reducing alcohol consumption, but their widespread adoption is lagging behind. This study aimed to identify factors promoting or inhibiting the implementation of a digital alcohol intervention in Norwegian primary care, by using Normalization Process Theory (NPT).

Is general practitioner involvement in the initiation of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain associated with opioid dose and concurrent drug use?

Is the involvement of the regular general practitioner (GP) in the decision to initiate opioid treatment for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) associated with two main risk factors for serious adverse events: increased opioid dose and the concomitant use of prescribed benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-related medications? An anonymous web-based survey was conducted in the county of Rogaland, Norway, during the spring of 2021. GPs who self-reported applying at least once for reimbursement of opioids prescribed to treat CNCP. They were asked to answer the survey based on the last patient for whom they recalled submitting a reimbursement application.

A qualitative study of experiences with physical activity among people receiving opioid agonist therapy.

Background: Physical or mental health comorbidities are common among people with substance use disorders undergoing opioid agonist therapy. As both a preventive and treatment strategy, exercise offers various health benefits for several conditions. Exercise interventions to people with substance use disorders receiving opioid agonist therapy are limited.

Healthy eating among people on opioid agonist therapy: a qualitative study of patients' experiences and perspectives.

People with substance use disorders often have unhealthy diets, high in sweets and processed foods but low in nutritious items like fruits and vegetables, increasing noncommunicable disease risks. This study investigates healthy eating perceptions and barriers among individuals with opioid use disorder undergoing opioid agonist therapy. Interviews with 14 participants at opioid agonist therapy clinics in Western Norway, using a semi-structured guide and systematic text condensation for analysis, reveal that most participants view their diet as inadequate and express a desire to improve for better health.

Integrated exercise program in opioid agonist therapy clinics and effect on psychological distress: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (BAReAktiv).

Background: Substance use disorder is associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices, resulting in adverse social and health consequences. People with opioid use disorder receiving opioid agonist therapy, in particular, have high morbidity and reduced quality of life. Physical activity is recommended as an adjunctive treatment for people with substance use disorder, but there is minimal evidence from randomized controlled trials on the effects of this among people with substance use disorder receiving opioid agonist therapy.

Bariatric surgery patients in AUD treatment in Norway-an exploratory cross-sectional study.

Aims: Patients who have undergone some forms of bariatric surgery have increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). In the present observational study, we compared patients with AUD who themselves reported to having undergone bariatric surgery with other patients in treatment for AUD.

Materials: One-hundred-and-six consecutively enrolled patients in residential treatment for AUD were asked if they had undergone bariatric surgery.

[Mental disorders and symptoms with persistent opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain – a registry study].

Background: Knowledge of mental disorders among patients with persistent opioid use for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain is essential, as mental disorders and symptoms can exacerbate or perpetuate pain and impact on the ability of patients to manage their illness. We have studied the prevalence of mental disorders and symptoms, including substance use disorders, in patients with persistent opioid use in 2019.

Material And Method: Persons ≥ 18 years with persistent opioid use and persons ≥ 18 years with at least one registered mental disorder in the specialist healthcare service in 2019 were included.

Update of statistical analysis plan for: Integration of smoking cessation into standard treatment for patients receiving opioid agonist therapy who are smoking tobacco: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (ATLAS4LAR).

This protocol paper presents an updated statistical analysis plan of the protocol of a randomised controlled trial. The randomised controlled trial investigates the effect of integrating smoking cessation interventions at outpatient opioid agonist therapy (OAT) clinics for persons with opioid dependency receiving OAT medication. The intervention group receives weekly follow-up including a short behavioural intervention and provision of nicotine replacement products.

Fatal drug overdoses in individuals treated pharmacologically for chronic pain: a nationwide register-based study.

Introduction: Chronic pain patients may be at an increased risk for drug overdoses as a result of comorbid psychiatric disorders and treatment with risk-increasing prescription medications, such as opioids. We aimed to characterise fatal drug overdoses and investigate factors associated with the deaths among individuals who had been treated pharmacologically for chronic pain.

Methods: We included all individuals who received analgesics reimbursed for chronic pain in Norway during 2010-9 (n=569 047).

A qualitative study on people with opioid use disorders' perspectives on smoking and smoking cessation interventions.

Introduction: Smoking-related diseases are major contributors to disability and shorter life expectancy among opioid-dependent patients. Smoking prevalence is considerably higher for opioid-dependent persons than among the general population, and only a minority quit smoking in treatment settings. Studies show that pharmacological smoking cessation interventions have modest success rates.

Relationship Between Educational Level and Attitudes Towards Alcohol Conversations in Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Survey Conducted in Four European Countries.

To examine the association between educational level and attitudes towards alcohol conversations in healthcare using population-based surveys of adults in England, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden; and to compare attitudes towards alcohol conversations in healthcare between these four countries. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted amongst adults in the general population in England ( = 3,499), the Netherlands ( = 2,173), Norway ( = 1,208), and Sweden ( = 3,000). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between attitudes towards alcohol conversations in healthcare and educational level, key demographic variables, alcohol consumption, and country of residence.

Pragmatic approaches for addressing alcohol in general practice: Development of a tailored implementation intervention.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is a leading global risk factor for ill-health and premature death. Alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI) delivered in primary care is effective at reducing alcohol consumption, but routine implementation remains problematic. Screening all patients for excessive drinking (universal screening) is resource-intensive and may be at odds with general practitioners' (GPs') perceived professional role.

Governing by commissioning services - Implementing alcohol screening and brief interventions in hospital settings in Norway.

Norwegian health services have undergone marked logistical changes in organization and funding over recent decades. One significant change was the new public management-inspired commissioner's document, first issued in 2013 by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, to establish medical and surgical departments' identification of patients with underlying substance abuse problems (Ministry of Health and Care Services, 2013). Herein, we investigate how multiple stakeholders and actors, who bear responsibility in regional and local health trusts, have responded to the commissioned services to establish routines for identifying alcohol and substance abuse problems among patients admitted to medical and surgical wards.

Traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms in substance use disorder: A comparison of recovered versus current users.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of traumatic experiences and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in treatment-seeking individuals with ongoing substance use disorder (SUD) compared to individuals who have recovered from SUD. Patients with SUD recruited from the STAYER study (N = 114) underwent an examination of alcohol and drug use, childhood trauma, negative life events and PTSD symptomatology. In this study, only participants with 12-month concurrent polysubstance use was included.

Problematic alcohol use in post-bariatric patients - a qualitative study.

Background: Research shows an increased risk of alcohol use disorders in post-bariatric patients. This study aims to gain insight into what post-bariatric patients receiving treatment for substance use think are the possible causes for developing problematic alcohol consumption after surgery.

Material And Method: Ten in-depth interviews were held with post-bariatric patients receiving treatment for substance use in 2020 (six men and four women).

Cohort Description: Preventing an Opioid Epidemic in Norway - Focusing on Treatment of Chronic Pain (POINT) - A National Registry-Based Study.

Aim: The POINT project aims to provide evidence to optimise chronic pain management, prevent adverse consequences of opioids, and improve chronic pain patients' pain relief, functional capacity, and quality of life. We describe the outline of the project and its work packages. More specifically, we describe a cohort of persons with chronic pain and a cohort of long-term opioid users identified from a national registry linkage.

Individuals Dying of Overdoses Related to Pharmaceutical Opioids Differ from Individuals Dying of Overdoses Related to Other Substances: A Population-Based Register Study.

Background: Pharmaceutical opioid (PO) overdose deaths have increased in many Western countries. There are indications that those dying from a PO overdose differ from those dying from other types of overdoses. These differences might pose a challenge as the majority of current preventive measures are tailored toward those with the characteristics of "conventional" overdose deaths.

Effect of fruit smoothie supplementation on psychological distress among people with substance use disorders receiving opioid agonist therapy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (FruktBAR).

Background: People with substance use disorders generally have unhealthy diets, including limited intake of fruit and vegetables. Evidence shows substantial health benefits from increasing fruit and vegetable consumption on various indicators and possibly also psychological distress. A pilot study has indicated that supplementation with fruit smoothie could be promising also among people receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid dependence.

Integration of smoking cessation into standard treatment for patients receiving opioid agonist therapy who are smoking tobacco: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (ATLAS4LAR).

Background: About 85% of patients receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) for opioid dependence are smoking tobacco. Although smoke-related pulmonary diseases are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, few smoking cessation interventions are evaluated within this group, and few OAT patients are offered smoking cessation as an integrated part of their addiction treatment. This study protocol describes an integrated smoking cessation intervention aimed at patients receiving OAT and smoking tobacco.

General practitioners' reflections on using PSA for diagnosis of prostate cancer. A qualitative study.

Objective: To investigate how GPs use the PSA test as a diagnostic tool in daily practice.

Design: Qualitative study using focus group interviews, the transcripts being analyzed by systemic text condensation.

Subjects: A total of 17 Norwegian GPs in three CME groups.

Public perceptions of how alcohol consumption is dealt with in Swedish and Norwegian health care.

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare popular beliefs and attitudes regarding alcohol conversations in healthcare in Sweden and Norway; and to explore which factors were associated with different levels of support for alcohol-prevention work in the two countries.

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Sweden ( = 3000) and Norway ( = 1208). Logistic regression was used to identify the characteristics of participants who were supportive of routine alcohol screening and brief intervention delivery.