The fentanyl made me feel like I needed more methadone": changes in the role and use of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) due to fentanyl.

BACKGROUND

Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues have disrupted the illicit drug supply through contamination of other substances (i.e., methamphetamine and cocaine) and replacement of heroin in illicit markets. Increasingly, they are contributing to opioid-overdose related deaths. The rapid and growing presence of fentanyl has led to gaps in research on the impact of this illicit market change on people who use drugs (PWUD). We sought to examine how the changing opioid market and growing fentanyl availability influences the role and use of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

METHODS

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a community recruited sample of PWUD (N = 22) in Los Angeles, California between September 2021 and April 2022. Interviews examined opioid use history, current opioid use behaviors and consumption patterns, and MOUD experiences and perceptions. Thematic analysis was used to systematically code and analyze textual interview data.

RESULTS

The following themes related to fentanyl use and MOUD emerged: (1) Use of deviated MOUD to address fentanyl contamination, (2) Changing perception of the effectiveness of MOUD on fentanyl, and (3) Regulatory limitations of MOUD for fentanyl use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

PWUD described several repertoires for adjusting to changes in the illicit market of opioids. Clinicians treating PWUD should ask about recent fentanyl use prior to starting MOUD to account for increased tolerance to opioids. Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone kits, safe supply, and supervised consumption facilities can all prevent overdose deaths due to fentanyl.