Articles tagged with Methadone
Research shows that methadone and buprenorphine prescriptions have risen significantly since 2010, reducing opioid-related deaths by half. However, only a quarter of individuals with opioid use disorder receive medication treatment, highlighting the need for expanded access to these life-saving medications.
A new study from Tulane University found that 22 states have prohibited prior authorization for opioid use disorder medications, making it easier for people to get potentially life-saving treatment. This trend signals a positive shift in state legislative efforts to address the opioid crisis, with more states removing barriers to care.
Rates of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) use increased among surgical patients from 2016 to 2022, with buprenorphine being the primary driver. MOUD use was highest in debridement and orthopedic procedures, highlighting the need for clinical practice guidelines to coordinate care and pain management.
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
A new clinical trial is testing an intervention to reduce staff stress and improve methadone treatment retention for opioid use disorder. The four-year study will examine the effectiveness of a multi-modal intervention in reducing work-related trauma and traumatic stress symptoms among methadone treatment staff.
A JAMA Psychiatry study recommends increasing contingency management incentives to improve opioid addiction recovery outcomes. The research team suggests using evidence-based incentive amounts, such as $128 per week for vouchers or $55 per week for prizes over 12 weeks, to effectively reduce stimulant and/or opioid use.
A pilot program was conducted in South Africa to provide harm reduction and medications for opioid use disorder among people living with HIV and illicit opioid use. The study found low uptake of medication-assisted treatment after release, citing perceived ineffectiveness and delays in initiation.
A new study in The Lancet Public Health finds that safer supply programs complement existing treatment options for people struggling with opioid use disorder. Safer supply programs provide pharmaceutical-grade opioids to reduce overdose rates, healthcare utilization, and costs.
Research finds that comprehensive drug policies, including harm reduction measures, are positively associated with perceptions of governmental support and trust in local government. In rural US communities, residents' trust in their local government increases when they perceive the government as supportive of these policies.
A new microdosing approach using low doses of buprenorphine has been tested on patients with opioid use disorder, but most found it ineffective. The study, which included 126 participants, showed that only 34% were able to work up to a full dose of buprenorphine.
A new study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that Medicaid waivers for addiction treatment have not led to increased treatment or reduced nonfatal overdoses in 17 states. The authors suggest that while the waivers may be necessary, they are insufficient to address the national opioid epidemic.
A Scottish study found that treating opioid use disorder significantly lowers the high rate of suicide among people with opioid dependence. The study reported 575 suicides among over 45,000 patients receiving methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that methadone is more effective than buprenorphine/naloxone in reducing treatment discontinuation rates among individuals with opioid use disorder. The risk of mortality was low and did not differ significantly between the two medications.
The study found that individuals receiving methadone had a lower risk of treatment discontinuation compared to those receiving buprenorphine/naloxone. Additionally, the risk of mortality while receiving treatment was similar between medications, with no significant differences observed.
A North Carolina State University study found that only 12% of organizations providing residential opioid substance use services are licensed by the state. Only a quarter allow patients to access proven opioid agonist treatment (OAT), which has better outcomes and cuts overdose deaths in half.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center found that medications for opioid use disorder were underused in Massachusetts despite improving outcomes. The study highlighted disparities among patients who received treatment, including younger people and Black patients being less likely to receive medication.
A randomized, controlled trial found acupuncture to be effective in reducing methadone dose and opioid cravings in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. The study suggests that acupuncture could be a useful adjunctive treatment for individuals receiving MMT, potentially improving their treatment outcomes.
The French system provides better access to methadone for people with opioid use disorder, with 87% receiving treatment compared to less than 20% in the US. This disparity highlights an opportunity for US policymakers to reform regulations and make methadone more accessible.
A study found that pharmaceuticals like metoprolol and atenolol, as well as illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were present in over 60% of water samples from Hudson and East Rivers. Enterococci bacteria and rainfall also contributed to drug presence, highlighting the need for improved water management systems
A comprehensive analysis of seized counterfeit pills found that 99.3% contained fentanyl, with 67% also containing para-fluorofentanyl. The study highlights the importance of understanding the contents of counterfeit prescription pills for effective treatment approaches.
A Rutgers-led study found that supplementing standard opioid addiction treatment with Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can cut program dropout rates by 59 percent and relapses by 42 percent. The intervention incorporates mindfulness training, savoring skills, and cognitive reappraisal to help individuals retrain themsel...
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found significant variation in opioid treatment for critically ill infants across different institutions and geographic regions. The study reports wide variability in opioid prescribing practices, which can impact hospitalization length of stay, healthcare costs, and long-term outcomes.
Researchers found that children born to mothers who used methadone during the first trimester of pregnancy had a higher risk of congenital malformations compared to those who used buprenorphine. Buprenorphine was associated with a lower risk of cardiac, clubfoot, and oral cleft malformations.
Researchers found that buprenorphine was associated with a slightly lower risk of malformations overall compared to methadone, with an 18% reduction in relative risk. Both therapies are strongly recommended over untreated opioid use disorder during pregnancy.
Mobile methadone units show significant impact in expanding opioid treatment access in rural areas, with a 13-point increase in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment rates. Adding units exclusively to rural Louisiana provides nearly 20% of beneficiaries within 24 miles of a provider.
A randomized clinical trial found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus usual care significantly decreased drug use, pain, and depression in individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Participants who received MORE also showed increased methadone treatment retention and adherence.
A new study by Columbia University researchers indicates that patients with expanded methadone access during the COVID pandemic are not more likely to overdose or drop out of care. The findings suggest that more flexible policies could help improve access to this life-saving treatment and close gaps in care.
A new study aims to improve methadone treatment by developing and testing a patient-empowered, trauma-informed protocol in Arizona. The MPACT study has shown promising results, reducing opioid overdoses by 80% with access to methadone treatment.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that methadone use following surgery in infants can increase hospital stay and delay recovery. Babies who required methadone needed to stay in the hospital an average of 21 days longer after surgery, as well as more days on ventilators and IV nutrition.
A new UCF study found that insurance coverage of extended-release buprenorphine injections is lacking, with only 46% of commercial plans and 19% of Medicare Advantage plans covering it. Prior-authorization requirements also pose a barrier to access, particularly for Medicaid plans.
A recent study found wide discrepancies in treatment for opioid use disorder among people covered by Medicaid, with some states providing nearly universal access to proven medications. The study suggests that quality of care problems are to blame for the disparities.
The study found that taking home methadone doses increased deaths of black and hispanic men but had little effect on the other demographic groups. Relaxing methadone restrictions may help certain at-risk groups, addressing the heterogeneity in treatment.
A RAND Corporation study found that methadone use increased sharply among Medicare Advantage enrollees, creating new treatment rather than displacing other medications. The rate of buprenorphine use also rose, particularly among younger enrollees.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.
Patients receiving methadone treatment for opioid use disorder show significant decline in fentanyl and heroin use over the course of a year, with average positivity rates dropping from 21.8% to 17.1% for fentanyl and 8.4% to 4.3% for heroin. Methamphetamine and cocaine use remains steady.
A new study finds that buprenorphine initiation rates and six-month retention rates remain flat despite policy changes aimed at increasing access to the medication. Only 22% of patients who started treatment kept refilling their prescriptions for at least six months, highlighting barriers to prescribing enough of the life-saving drug.
A novel clinical trial demonstrated that open-label placebo increased patient retention rates by 78% compared to methadone-only treatment. Participants also reported better sleep quality, with no significant differences found in other outcome measures. The study suggests that deception-free placebo treatment can provide valuable benefits.
A randomized clinical trial found that patients who knowingly took placebos were more likely to stay on methadone and had improved sleep quality. After three months of follow-up, 78% of the placebo-treated group remained on methadone compared to 61% of the control group.
A new study found that bupropion, an antidepressant medication, can help people stop using cocaine while receiving methadone for opioid use disorder. Participants who received monetary incentives to quit cocaine saw a higher success rate when taking bupropion compared to those with placebo.
A new study highlights poor access to US methadone treatment compared to Canada. The average driving distance to the closest clinic was more than three times greater in the US, with rural areas requiring drives of up to 138 miles.
A novel community-focused strategy implemented in Pennsylvania counties led to a 30% reduction in opioid overdose death rates. The approach, developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers, prevented 1,818 opioid-related deaths over two years.
Panelists emphasize the need for better treatment options and increased access to naloxone as overdoses increase dramatically. Community collaboration, fast-tracking vaccine development, and reducing stigma around people who use drugs are also key strategies.
Researchers found that combination therapy of buprenorphine and naloxone was as safe as buprenorphine alone during pregnancy, with similar outcomes in maternal health and newborn health. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A new publication highlights the challenges patients face in accessing effective opioid treatment. Opioid addiction specialists from Oregon Health & Science University argue for a flexible, responsive health system that prioritizes patient needs.
Researchers found that buprenorphine use was associated with better outcomes for the baby, including lower risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age, and low birth weight. The study suggests increasing access to buprenorphine treatment among pregnant individuals with opioid-use disorder.
A Washington State University pilot study showed that home sensors can accurately monitor overnight restlessness and sleep problems in people recovering from opioid use disorder. The sensors matched other monitoring methods about 89% of the time, validating patients' concerns about their disturbed sleep.
Mandated PDMP use in US states reduced opioid prescriptions by 6.1% but led to a 50.1% increase in heroin-related deaths, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that four out of five counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates do not have a methadone clinic accessible within a 15-minute drive. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer a possible solution to improving access to opioid treatment programs in rural communities.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine suggest improvements to the release process and treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (MOUD) who are transitioning from jail to the community. The study identifies three critical areas for improvement: bridge doses, better communication, and phone access.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a pronounced decline in the methadone supply but no disruption to the buprenorphine supply. The study highlights the vulnerability of opioid treatment infrastructure during public health crises.
National data indicate that expanded access to methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to increased harms, but rather declined percentage of overdose deaths involving methadone. This evidence supports expanding take-home treatment for opioid use disorder.
Experts outline a framework for treating cancer pain in patients with opioid use disorder or prescription opioid misuse. The study highlights the need for better integration of addiction treatment in cancer care, particularly prescribing methadone and buprenorphine.
A pan-Canadian study found that prescribing buprenorphine-naloxone at home is as effective as traditional methadone treatment in reducing opioid use. The flexible model of care offers improved access and autonomy for individuals with opioid use disorder. With over 270 participants, the OPTIMA study suggests a new approach to treating t...
Researchers investigate how COVID-19 pandemic policies impacted access to life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder in minority groups. They aim to understand structural mechanisms of disparities and encourage the healthcare system to review and change social policies.
A recent study found that racial and ethnic minorities in Washington state die from opioid overdose on average between ages 33 to 44, compared to non-Hispanic whites who die at age 45. The gap in years of potential life lost varies among minority groups, with Hispanics experiencing a 6-year difference.
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center used advanced brain imaging techniques to study the impact of prenatal opioid exposure on infant brain development. The study found that treatment with medications like buprenorphine and methadone can minimize brain abnormalities in newborns exposed to opioids prenatally.
A pair of studies published by Washington State University scientists found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help individuals with opioid addiction reduce their methadone dose and better manage pain and withdrawal symptoms. The treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, resulting in significant dose reduct...
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that only 5.4% of individuals with opioid use disorder received treatment as part of their criminal justice involvement. The study also identified predictors of treatment access for justice-involved individuals, including demographics and substance use severity.
A study found that only 28% of individuals needing opioid use disorder treatment received medication, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The findings highlight critical gaps in treatment engagement and access to effective medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
Experts suggest expanding treatment options for hospital patients with opioid withdrawal symptoms, potentially allowing more individualized and patient-centered care. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of short-acting opioids in this context.