Elizabeth Agius
Biographic Data
| ID | 760332 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Elizabeth Agius |
| GIVEN NAMES | Elizabeth |
| FAMILY NAME | Agius |
| SIGNATURE | AGIUS E |
| AFFILIATIONS | Wayne State University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Barriers and facilitators to higher education applications and admissions among people in recovery
People in substance use disorder recovery represent a marginalized and underserved student population. Improving access to higher education for people in recovery can benefit the individual, institution, and society at large. This study explored the barriers to college applications and admissions that people in recovery face and the resources that they draw on to overcome these barriers. Semistructured interviews were completed with 17 undergradu…
Public Perceptions of Opioid Use for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Background: Chronic non-cancer pain affects 20% of Americans. This is significantly impacted by the ongoing opioid crisis and reduced opioid dispensing. Public perceptions additionally shape pain management strategies. Purpose: This study explores public attitudes toward prescription opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. We aim to understand how public attitudes are influenced by the evolving opioid crisis and shifting opioid use patterns. Methods…
Stigma Communication Surrounding Nonmedical Opioid Use Among Affected Family Members
A growing body of research demonstrates the role of language in stigma toward nonmedical opioid use (NMOU). Terms like "substance abuser" perpetuate stereotypes and evoke punitive judgments. This study examines how affected family members (AFMs) communicate stigma when discussing their loved one's NMOU. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 adults with a close family member with a history of NMOU. An iterative approach was used to ana…
Naloxone Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Overdose Response Among Family Members of People who Misuse Opioids
Perceived stigma toward naloxone among overdose education and naloxone distribution program participants: Implications for opioid overdose response
Stigma and Public Support for Treatment and Harm Reduction Policy in Response to the US Overdose Crisis
How affected family members communicate about their loved one's non-medical opioid use
Family members of people who misuse opioids frequently experience stigma due to their association with non-medical opioid use (NMOU). Stigma may affect how family members communicate about NMOU and seek social support. Guided by communication privacy management theory, this study sought to understand how affected family members (AFMs) communicate about NMOU within and outside of the immediate family. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 adu…
Attitudes toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder among Substance Use Treatment Providers
Background: Provider attitudes can be a powerful reinforcer of stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This study examines attitudes toward MOUD among substance use treatment providers and identifies personal and professional characteristics associated with more positive attitudes. Methods: Treatment providers (N = 570) working at publicly-funded substance use programs in Michigan self-administered a web-based survey (November 20…
Comorbid Affective and Substance Use Disorders of Medicaid/Medicare Beneficiaries at an Opioid Treatment Program Serving Small Urban and Rural Communities
Few studies have investigated comorbid disorders among this understudied population. This analysis highlights a high burden, especially for affective disorders. Our findings demonstrate that routine, ongoing assessment of non-medical opioid use may be a promising and feasible strategy to detect patients needing integrated care. Future research should investigate whether changes to assessment protocols at opioid treatment programs in small urban a…
Social support is associated with reduced stigma and shame in a sample of rural and small urban adults in methadone treatment
Background Social support from family, friends, and others promotes retention, decreased substance use, and other positive outcomes for people in substance use treatment. Methadone treatment-related stigma makes social support vital for clients. Little is known about the relationships between stigma, shame, and social support for methadone treatment clients in rural and small urban communities. This study examines these relationships among such c…
Overestimation of Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse and Heroin Use among Adults
Background Estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2019) suggest 3.6% of persons aged 12 and older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year and 0.3% used heroin. However, research suggests that most individuals drastically overestimate rates of substance use and misuse. Those who overestimate substance misuse are often more likely to misuse substanc…
Willingness to use syringe service programs and safe consumption sites among methadone patients with histories of injection drug use in a small Midwest community
Syringe service programs (SSPs) and safe consumption sites (SCSs) are evidence-based strategies to reduce harm associated with injection drug use. However, little is known about the acceptability of these programs outside large urban areas. This study assesses willingness to use SSPs and SCSs among people receiving methadone and with history of injection drug use in a small Midwest community, and identifies factors associated with likely use of e…
Public Perceptions of Risks Associated with Mixing Opioid Pain-Relievers with Alcohol and Benzodiazepines
Objectives: Use of alcohol or benzodiazepines with opioid pain-relievers increases risk of overdose and overdose death. A substantial proportion of adults receives an opioid prescription each year, and a number of these adults also use benzodiazepines or alcohol. As public opinion continues to shape public policy, it is imperative to understand correlates of recognizing risk of mixing substances in order to inform public outreach and prevention e…
Perceptions of public health consequences of marijuana legalization
Background As cannabis policy is rapidly evolving and support for marijuana legalization is increasing, understanding of the public’s perception of cannabis and its associated risks is important for prevention efforts.Method Adults in Michigan (n = 2,189) were recruited to complete a web-based survey focused on attitudes toward marijuana (August–September 2016). Participants were recruited through online and email advertisements from community-ba…
Enhancing Aging Services through Evidence-Based Health Promotion: A Training for Service Providers
During the next several decades, increasing numbers of older Americans will suffer chronic illnesses and many will face challenges due to growing racial and economic health disparities. Agencies serving older adults need to respond by creating and promoting evidence-based health promotion (EBHP) practices to address the growing diversity among older adults in urban areas. One such agency, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging recently partnered with t…
When practice and policy collide: Child welfare workers' perceptions of investigation processes
Supporting and Sustaining Grassroots Youth Organizations: The Case of New Detroit
Grassroots organizations have a central place in service provision within many urban communities, particularly as they work with young people. Enhancing the potential of youth serving organizations is vital as many of these small groups lack infrastructure and resources. One organization has gone beyond grant making to organizations to include providing technical assistance, then moving to a model of capacity building to improve their ability to …
The Role of Psychosocial Factors in the Transition to Substance Use: Are They Protective Among Urban Minority Adolescents
Supporting and Sustaining Grassroots Youth Organizations: The Case of New Detroit
Grassroots organizations have a central place in service provision within many urban communities, particularly as they work with young people. Enhancing the potential of youth serving organizations is vital as many of these small groups lack infrastructure and resources. One organization has gone beyond grant making to organizations to include providing technical assistance, then moving to a model of capacity building to improve their ability to …
When practice and policy collide: Child welfare workers' perceptions of investigation processes
How affected family members communicate about their loved one's non-medical opioid use
Family members of people who misuse opioids frequently experience stigma due to their association with non-medical opioid use (NMOU). Stigma may affect how family members communicate about NMOU and seek social support. Guided by communication privacy management theory, this study sought to understand how affected family members (AFMs) communicate about NMOU within and outside of the immediate family. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 adu…
The Role of Psychosocial Factors in the Transition to Substance Use: Are They Protective Among Urban Minority Adolescents
Supporting and Sustaining Grassroots Youth Organizations: The Case of New Detroit
Grassroots organizations have a central place in service provision within many urban communities, particularly as they work with young people. Enhancing the potential of youth serving organizations is vital as many of these small groups lack infrastructure and resources. One organization has gone beyond grant making to organizations to include providing technical assistance, then moving to a model of capacity building to improve their ability to …
Enhancing Aging Services through Evidence-Based Health Promotion: A Training for Service Providers
During the next several decades, increasing numbers of older Americans will suffer chronic illnesses and many will face challenges due to growing racial and economic health disparities. Agencies serving older adults need to respond by creating and promoting evidence-based health promotion (EBHP) practices to address the growing diversity among older adults in urban areas. One such agency, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging recently partnered with t…
When practice and policy collide: Child welfare workers' perceptions of investigation processes
Public Perceptions of Risks Associated with Mixing Opioid Pain-Relievers with Alcohol and Benzodiazepines
Objectives: Use of alcohol or benzodiazepines with opioid pain-relievers increases risk of overdose and overdose death. A substantial proportion of adults receives an opioid prescription each year, and a number of these adults also use benzodiazepines or alcohol. As public opinion continues to shape public policy, it is imperative to understand correlates of recognizing risk of mixing substances in order to inform public outreach and prevention e…
Perceptions of public health consequences of marijuana legalization
Background As cannabis policy is rapidly evolving and support for marijuana legalization is increasing, understanding of the public’s perception of cannabis and its associated risks is important for prevention efforts.Method Adults in Michigan (n = 2,189) were recruited to complete a web-based survey focused on attitudes toward marijuana (August–September 2016). Participants were recruited through online and email advertisements from community-ba…
Overestimation of Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse and Heroin Use among Adults
Background Estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2019) suggest 3.6% of persons aged 12 and older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year and 0.3% used heroin. However, research suggests that most individuals drastically overestimate rates of substance use and misuse. Those who overestimate substance misuse are often more likely to misuse substanc…
Willingness to use syringe service programs and safe consumption sites among methadone patients with histories of injection drug use in a small Midwest community
Syringe service programs (SSPs) and safe consumption sites (SCSs) are evidence-based strategies to reduce harm associated with injection drug use. However, little is known about the acceptability of these programs outside large urban areas. This study assesses willingness to use SSPs and SCSs among people receiving methadone and with history of injection drug use in a small Midwest community, and identifies factors associated with likely use of e…
Attitudes toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder among Substance Use Treatment Providers
Background: Provider attitudes can be a powerful reinforcer of stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This study examines attitudes toward MOUD among substance use treatment providers and identifies personal and professional characteristics associated with more positive attitudes. Methods: Treatment providers (N = 570) working at publicly-funded substance use programs in Michigan self-administered a web-based survey (November 20…
Comorbid Affective and Substance Use Disorders of Medicaid/Medicare Beneficiaries at an Opioid Treatment Program Serving Small Urban and Rural Communities
Few studies have investigated comorbid disorders among this understudied population. This analysis highlights a high burden, especially for affective disorders. Our findings demonstrate that routine, ongoing assessment of non-medical opioid use may be a promising and feasible strategy to detect patients needing integrated care. Future research should investigate whether changes to assessment protocols at opioid treatment programs in small urban a…
Social support is associated with reduced stigma and shame in a sample of rural and small urban adults in methadone treatment
Background Social support from family, friends, and others promotes retention, decreased substance use, and other positive outcomes for people in substance use treatment. Methadone treatment-related stigma makes social support vital for clients. Little is known about the relationships between stigma, shame, and social support for methadone treatment clients in rural and small urban communities. This study examines these relationships among such c…
Public Perceptions of Opioid Use for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Background: Chronic non-cancer pain affects 20% of Americans. This is significantly impacted by the ongoing opioid crisis and reduced opioid dispensing. Public perceptions additionally shape pain management strategies. Purpose: This study explores public attitudes toward prescription opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. We aim to understand how public attitudes are influenced by the evolving opioid crisis and shifting opioid use patterns. Methods…
Stigma Communication Surrounding Nonmedical Opioid Use Among Affected Family Members
A growing body of research demonstrates the role of language in stigma toward nonmedical opioid use (NMOU). Terms like "substance abuser" perpetuate stereotypes and evoke punitive judgments. This study examines how affected family members (AFMs) communicate stigma when discussing their loved one's NMOU. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 adults with a close family member with a history of NMOU. An iterative approach was used to ana…
Naloxone Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Overdose Response Among Family Members of People who Misuse Opioids
Perceived stigma toward naloxone among overdose education and naloxone distribution program participants: Implications for opioid overdose response
Stigma and Public Support for Treatment and Harm Reduction Policy in Response to the US Overdose Crisis
How affected family members communicate about their loved one's non-medical opioid use
Family members of people who misuse opioids frequently experience stigma due to their association with non-medical opioid use (NMOU). Stigma may affect how family members communicate about NMOU and seek social support. Guided by communication privacy management theory, this study sought to understand how affected family members (AFMs) communicate about NMOU within and outside of the immediate family. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 adu…
Barriers and facilitators to higher education applications and admissions among people in recovery
People in substance use disorder recovery represent a marginalized and underserved student population. Improving access to higher education for people in recovery can benefit the individual, institution, and society at large. This study explored the barriers to college applications and admissions that people in recovery face and the resources that they draw on to overcome these barriers. Semistructured interviews were completed with 17 undergradu…
Medicine (16 works) · Psychiatry (13 works) · Psychology (13 works) · Opioid (8 works) · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes (8 works) · Internal Medicine (7 works) · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (7 works) · Nursing (6 works) · Public health (6 works) · Family medicine (5 works)