SUD in Patients With SCD -- Think Alcohol, Not Drugs

Background: Clinicians often perceive a higher risk of substance use disorder (SUD) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and are hesitant to prescribe adequate opioids for pain management. Patients with SCD who do not receive adequate pain treatment may be at the highest risk of self-medicating with illicit drugs or alcohol and are more likely to develop an SUD. Objective: To assess for correlation of factors associated with SCD with the risk of SUD diagnosis. Methods: Data from the National Survey of American Life (NASL) study examining racial, ethnic, and cultural influences on mental health disorder was used. NASL included national household probability sample of black adults aged ≥18 years. Trained professionals conducted interviews of participants using diagnostic questionnaires based on DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of SUD (alcohol or drugs). A total of 4238 African American and black Caribbean participants from NASL who had at least 1 self-reported chronic conditi more...