Louise Durand is a post-doctoral researcher in pharmaco-epidemiology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Louise’s research focuses on secondary data analysis of prescription drug misuse and opioid agonist treatment. Louise has authored more than 21 peer-reviewed publications with recent studies including trends in gabapentinoid prescribing in Ireland (2010–2020), polysubstance use among patients in methadone maintenance treatment (2024), and a national observational study of prescription drug misuse and related harms (2025).

Abstract

Harms associated with prescription drug misuse in Ireland: A national observational study (2010–2020)

To describe the health-related harms associated with the misuse of benzodiazepines/z-drugs, prescription opioids, gabapentinoids, and psychostimulants in Ireland by examining trends in their involvement in treatment demand, non-fatal intentional drug overdoses (IDOs), and drug related deaths (DRDs). A repeated cross-sectional study using data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland (NSHRI) and the National Drug Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) between 2010 and 2020. Trends over time (2010-2020) in treatment demand, IDOs and DRDs involving benzodiazepines/z-drugs, prescription opioids excluding opioid agonist therapy drugs, gabapentinoids, or psychostimulants (alone or concurrently), adjusting for age and gender (Negative Binomial Regression). Total of 102,661 treatment entry cases; 51,126 people with IDO; and 3626 DRDs included. Benzodiazepines/z-drugs, and prescription opioid involvement stable over time with little/no changes observed in treatment demand, IDOs and DRDs. NPS-Benzodiazepines (etizolam) involvement in DRDs increased by 47% annually (ARR 1.47 95%CI 1.30-1.65). Gabapentinoids (primarily pregabalin) had large annual increases in treatment demand (+44% annually), DRDs (+35 % annually), and IDOs (+9% annually). While benzodiazepines account for the greatest overall harm with respect to treatment demand, IDOs and DRDs, gabapentinoids (primarily pregabalin) had the largest annual increase in harm over the study period.