Medications for opioid use disorder during incarceration and post-release outcomes

Health & Justice

Research Article

Aaron R. Brown¹  Lara Cates² 

[1] College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, 619 Patterson Office Tower, 40506, Lexington, KY, USA;Department of Social Work, Western Carolina University, 3971 Little Savannah Road, 28723, Cullowhee, NC, USA;

关键词: Opioid;    Substance use disorder;    Incarceration;    Recidivism;    Overdose;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40352-023-00209-w

 received in 2022-10-11, accepted in 2023-01-31,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundContinuation or initiation of MOUDs during incarceration could improve post-release outcomes by preventing return to opioid use and reducing risk of overdose. People with OUD involved in the criminal legal system are a vulnerable population, yet little research has comprehensively examined post-release outcomes associated with receiving MOUDs in jail and prison settings.MethodsThe authors conducted a review of published peer-reviewed literature on post-release outcomes associated with the use of MOUDs in correctional settings to determine implications for further research and policy.ResultsResults showed compelling evidence supporting the use of MOUDs for currently incarcerated populations, with almost all studies showing that MOUDs provided during incarceration increased community-based treatment engagement post-release. There is also evidence that initiating or continuing MOUDs during incarceration is associated with decreased opioid use and overdoses post-release, without increasing criminal involvement.ConclusionsFindings indicate that forcing tapering and withdrawal during incarceration can have dire consequences upon release into the community. Initiating or continuing MOUDs during incarceration reduces the risk for opioid use and overdose upon release by maintaining opioid tolerance and increasing community treatment engagement.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 4