2022

In the setting of open-access opioid treatment programs (OTPs), the authors of this study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence sought to determine if patients with benzodiazepine exposure at study entry would have retention rates similar to those without benzodiazepine exposure. Comparing the retention rate for the two groups, the authors found that baseline benzodiazepine exposure … [Read more...] about Study: OTP Retention Unaffected by Benzodiazepines

The Opioid Treatment Access Act (OTAA) would allow non-opioid-treatment-provider (OTP) physicians with training in addiction to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD). This is from Section 4, the highly contested OTAA provision, which the big proprietary OTPs oppose (see the recently launched https://programnotapill.com/) but which some of the smaller ones are … [Read more...] about OTPs facing increasing pressure from supporters of OTAA

Getting methadone in prison: It takes work When a correctional system entertains the idea of something established medicine accepts as gold standard – namely, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUT) – there is an uphill battle ahead, even for those within the system who believe in it. In Rhode Island, CODAC, the … [Read more...] about Part 3: Methadone in Rhode Island corrections, the psychology of working with another discipline

The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) have been at the forefront of trying to reform methadone treatment, always with an eye on patient safety and quality treatment, also while making treatment more accessible. But, as AATOD president Mark Parrino puts it, it’s important to ask “Access to what?” If it’s … [Read more...] about Mythbusting on AATOD and methadone/buprenorphine bills

RIDOC medical director on reaching out to corrections staff on methadone and buprenorphine Corrections staff are suspicious of methadone and buprenorphine. They know these drugs can be diverted, they have some kind of vague feeling that they can make people feel better (not the same as getting “high” but the nuances can get lost), and they are concerned about the amount of … [Read more...] about Report from AATOD: Rhode Island and corrections, Part 2