Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 2 September 2011
Peter C., Britton , Amy S.B., Bohnert , James D., Wines Jr. , Kenneth R., Conner
Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a procedure for assessing unintentional overdose (OD) in opiate abusers that differentiates it from intentional OD, and provides reliable information about the incident. Methods: A sample of 121 patients in a methadone maintenance program at an urban university hospital completed a baseline assessment. A total of 70 participants completed an identical assessment at least 14days later. The ability of an OD item to differentiate unintentional OD from intentional OD was tested, as was the test-retest reliability of questions assessing symptoms and treatment of OD. Results: The procedure is reliable and differentiated unintentional OD from intentional OD….
Highlights: ► We examined the ability of an overdose (OD) item to differentiate unintentional from intentional OD. ► We examined the test-retest reliability of follow-up questions to assess OD symptoms and emergency treatment. ► The OD item differentiated unintentional from intentional OD. ► The OD symptoms were valid as an aggregate, but reliability was strongly affected by loss of consciousness. ► The emergency treatment items had outstanding test-retest reliability.