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.
A survey of opioid treatment program leaders reveals reluctance to allow take-home methadone despite federal guidelines easing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many programs still require patients to come in for in-person administration, citing stigma and concerns over overdose risk.
A new study by Washington State University researchers found that relaxing limits on take-home methadone doses during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to worse treatment outcomes. The study saw a nearly doubling of methadone take-home doses but no significant changes in emergency department visits or methadone testing.
Researchers found a mobile telemedicine unit to be as successful as traditional treatment clinics in treating opioid use disorder, with 64% of patients remaining in treatment after two months. The unit also significantly reduced illicit opioid use among patients, with an average reduction of one-third.
A new study recommends making methadone more widely available through office-based visits with primary care physicians to improve access and convenience for patients with opioid use disorder. This could reduce transportation costs and enhance treatment retention rates, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A Yale study found that US methadone clinics were slower to accept new patients and longer in providing treatment compared to Canadian clinics during the pandemic. Clinics with open access models provided timelier treatment access, but only a fraction of US clinics offered this option.
The opioid overdose epidemic in the US is fueled by restricted access to evidence-based treatments, with only 18% of individuals receiving effective medications. Proposed exemptions aim to expand access, but more changes are needed to address the crisis.
Researchers found that expanding access to methadone, buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone in prisons and jails can significantly reduce overdose deaths by 31.6% in certain circumstances. The study suggests that continuity of care is key to maximizing public health impact.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that 29% of private post-acute care facilities in Massachusetts explicitly discriminated against hospitalized individuals with opioid use disorder, rejecting their referral for admission. The rejections were often due to a substance use disorder diagnosis or treatment with buprenorphine or methadone.
A new study by RCSI researchers found that patients receiving methadone treatment are at highest risk of overdosing in the month following treatment end and during first four weeks. The study suggests retaining patients in treatment for longer periods can save lives.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a six percent lower rate of total opioid overdose deaths, as well as lower rates of death involving heroin and synthetic opioids. However, unexpectedly, an 11 percent increase in methadone overdose mortality was observed with Medicaid expansion.
A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that combining mindfulness techniques with methadone therapy reduces opioid cravings and improves pain management. Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that mindfulness-based interventions can increase self-awareness, self-control over cravings, and emotional regulation.
A Yale study finds that rural residents face long drive times to obtain methadone, a treatment for opioid addiction, compared to urban counties. Methadone can be prescribed at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), potentially reducing drive times.
In a study of 489 US counties, rural areas had significantly longer drive times to opioid treatment programs, averaging 41-49 minutes. Reducing these times could increase access to methadone treatment in rural areas.
A recent study found that opioids like methadone and buprenorphine can impair cognitive tasks and increase sleepiness, with four participants stopping their tests due to drowsiness. The study's results indicate that patients should be informed about the potential driving impairment caused by these medications.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that methadone treatment is associated with lower mortality rates among convicted offenders with opioid dependence. The research analyzed population-level data and found significant reductions in deaths from both external and non-external causes.
A new study by Vanderbilt University found that opioid treatment programs in Appalachian states have limited capacity, with only 50% accepting insurance. Pregnant women are particularly excluded, with shorter wait times only when accepted to treatment programs.
A RAND Corporation study found that medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders jumped by 62% among Medicaid recipients, but disparities emerged in poorer counties and areas with larger black and Hispanic populations. The expansion of this treatment led to new racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.
Researchers found significant reductions in all-cause and opioid-related mortality among overdose survivors taking methadone or buprenorphine. However, only three out of ten overdose survivors receive these medications.
The new Canadian guideline recommends opioid agonist treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone as the preferred first-line treatment to reduce risk of overdose and death. It also identifies common practices that should be avoided, such as withdrawal management alone without transition to long-term treatment.
A study from McMaster University found that Ontario jails have high rates of opioid overdose deaths compared to the general public. Researchers recommend increased collaboration between healthcare and correctional systems to provide better treatment options for those in custody.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have identified a new method for detecting drug use and disease through analyzing compounds in exhaled breath. The study found that methadone was present in all samples using both methods, but with varying concentrations, highlighting the importance of device design and sampling technique.
A new study found that under 5% of those referred for opioid treatment from the criminal justice system were directed to medication-assisted programs, while 40% of clients referred by other sources attended these programs. This referral gap highlights a missed opportunity for effective treatment among at-risk groups.
A study found that Medicaid coverage for methadone maintenance therapy increases planned use of opioid agonists among pregnant women with opioid use disorder. The rate of planned OAT use was about 61% in states with Medicaid coverage compared to 28% in states without coverage.
A new program at Boston Medical Center's Grayken Center for Addiction has shown promising results in engaging patients with substance use disorders in medication treatment during hospital stays. The study found that 70% of patients initiated methadone treatment and 49% linked to an outpatient clinic were still engaged in treatment afte...
A new study reveals that a small group of physicians in Ontario prescribe the majority of medications used to treat opioid addiction. High-volume prescribers see large numbers of patients daily and bill the province hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Cuts to addiction services in England have led to a surge in drug-related deaths and increased pressure on the NHS. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for more training posts and no further cuts to addiction services.
A new study by Queen's University researcher Susan Brogly found that 25% of women suffering from prenatal opioid dependence were not being treated for their addiction. This is a concerning finding, as it can lead to poor birth outcomes and increased healthcare costs.
A new study by McMaster University suggests that cannabis use is associated with an 82% increased risk of continuing opioid use among women in methadone treatment. The research found that nearly 60% of men and 44% of women using methadone also use cannabis.
A new study suggests that many patients receiving buprenorphine for opioid addiction also continue to receive prescription opioids during and after treatment. The study found that 43% of patients filled an opioid prescription during treatment and 67% did so within 12 months of completing buprenorphine therapy.
Researchers found that individuals who inject drugs are more likely to relapse during treatment, while those starting opioid abuse at an older age have a lower risk. The study suggests tailoring treatment to each patient's needs and targeting aggressive therapies for high-risk patients.
A randomized clinical trial found that injectable hydromorphone was noninferior to injectable diacetylmorphine in treating long-term severe opioid dependence. The study suggests that hydromorphone could be a licensed alternative for patients where diacetylmorphine is unavailable or unsuccessful.
A study of 201 infants found that buprenorphine therapy was more effective than methadone in reducing the duration of treatment and length of hospital stay for newborns born in opioid withdrawal. Infants treated with buprenorphine had a shorter course of treatment, averaging 9.4 days, compared to 14 days on methadone.
A study published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences found that over half of female methadone clinic patients reported doctor-prescribed painkillers as their first contact with opioid drugs. The study highlights the importance of considering gender differences in treatment options for opioid addiction. Researchers noted that wom...
A study found that non-chronic opioid users with low prescribed doses are at risk of overdose, contradicting current guidelines. Concurrent sedative use also contributes to overdose risk.
A new trial shows that inmates who were allowed to continue methadone maintenance treatment while incarcerated were more than twice as likely to engage in treatment after release. The study suggests that interrupting treatment during incarceration may make people with addiction more vulnerable to relapse and overdoses.
Research suggests heroin assisted treatment can improve outcomes, reduce harm, and lower societal costs for a subgroup of patients who do not benefit from conventional treatments. This approach could provide savings that could be redirected to addiction prevention programs.
A study published in CMAJ Open found that the incidence of newborn opioid withdrawal increased 15-fold in Ontario between 1992 and 2011, with most babies born to mothers who were legally prescribed opioids. The shift from other opioids to methadone before delivery was associated with higher rates of premature birth and low birth weight.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that methadone treatment significantly suppresses testosterone levels in men with opioid addiction, leading to poor quality of life and erectile dysfunction. In contrast, women using methadone for addiction treatment showed no significant change in testosterone levels.
A new study found that nearly half of opioid-dependent individuals report concerns with forced methadone withdrawal, discouraging them from seeking treatment after release. Methadone therapy is a proven treatment for opioid dependence and has serious implications for public health and safety.
A recent study found a link between certain antidepressants and long QT intervals, a marker for heart rhythm abnormalities. The research used electronic health records to track patients who had taken antidepressants or methadone, and discovered that some medications increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Recent studies from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reveal that long-term methadone treatment can affect nerve cells in the brain, leading to changes in cognitive functioning. However, a separate study found no alteration in the formation of new nerve cells, providing some relief for methadone patients.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that patients receiving take-home methadone doses had 74% lower odds of hospitalization compared to those not receiving these doses. The study suggests that successful addiction treatment, including better overall health and reduced healthcare utilization, is a key facto...
The Nationwide Children's Hospital will use the $35,000 grant to increase health education and information available to pregnant women on methadone treatment. The project aims to improve maternal and infant outcomes by strengthening relationships between healthcare providers and at-risk women.
A study by researchers at Providence Health Care and the University of British Columbia found that medically prescribed heroin is more cost-effective than methadone for treating long-term street heroin users. The study attributed most of the economic benefits to recipients staying in treatment longer and spending less time in relapse.
Researchers find diacetylmorphine cheaper and more effective in keeping people with opioid dependency in treatment. The treatment strategy could reduce costs in treating chronic opioid addiction by retaining patients in treatment longer.
A study found that 18% of methadone maintenance therapy patients also received prescriptions for more than a week's supply of other opioids. This combination can lead to fatal consequences. The researchers recommend short-acting opioids for short periods and real-time prescription monitoring.
Opioid-related deaths are primarily caused by prescription drug harm in Utah, with methadone being responsible for one-third of deaths. Prescribing patterns and individual-level risk factors contribute to these deaths, emphasizing the need for structured care to minimize risks associated with opioid therapy.
A new study found that extended-release naltrexone is an effective treatment for opioid dependence, with patients experiencing high rates of abstinence and reduced craving. However, critics argue that the FDA's approval of this drug was premature and failed to adequately investigate risks, such as post-treatment overdose.
A new study found that buprenorphine is at least as effective as methadone in treating opioid addiction during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who received buprenorphine had shorter hospital stays and required less morphine to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome.
A new study suggests buprenorphine is a better treatment option than methadone for opioid dependence in pregnant women, resulting in healthier babies. Babies born to mothers taking buprenorphine instead of methadone required less morphine and spent less time in the hospital.
A new trial found that supervised injectable heroin leads to larger reductions in street heroin use compared to injectable or oral methadone. The RIOTT trial showed that treatment with supervised injectable heroin resulted in significantly lower use of street heroin within six weeks.
A new study found that only half of federal and state prison systems offer opioid replacement therapy (ORT), a treatment proven to reduce drug-related disease and reincarceration rates. Meanwhile, only 23 states provide referrals for inmates to treatment upon release from prison.
Researchers identified gaps in medication and opioid dependence documentation among MMT patients, leading to potential medication interactions and adverse events. Incomplete documentation occurs in up to 30% of cases, highlighting opportunities for improved communication and care coordination to enhance patient safety.
Researchers found cocaine and heroin increase antipyrine transfer across human placental tissue, compromising barrier function. This may lead to harm from more toxic substances crossing the placenta and affecting fetal health.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that methadone is processed differently than previously thought, leading to under- or overdosing. The study suggests better dosing guidelines could improve treatment outcomes and reduce fatalities related to methadone use.
Bariatric surgery rapidly improves insulin action, prompting adjustments to diabetic regimens. Genetic testing for heart disease is questioned as a reliable predictor of cardiovascular events, with traditional risk factors proving sufficient. Researchers advocate for increased clinical vigilance in methadone patients to reduce sudden c...
Prisons have high-risk environments for HIV transmission due to needle-sharing. Implementing needle/syringe programs (NSPs) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) can reduce risky behavior, overdose deaths, and improve relationships between prisoners and staff. These measures are essential for protecting prisoners' health.
A study found that most unintentional overdose deaths in West Virginia were associated with the nonmedical use and diversion of pharmaceuticals, primarily pain relievers. The majority of decedents had a history of substance abuse and used multiple contributory substances.