Opioid substitution treatment, relapse and addiction-related outcomes in prison setting and after release: A longitudinal study

Aims: Opioid addiction is a common problem among prisoners. The aim of this study was to examine differences between people who are incarcerated receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) and those not receiving OST on addiction-related outcome variables during incarceration and after release fro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nordisk alkohol- & narkotikatidskrift : NAT 2024-12, Vol.41 (6), p.640-655
Main Authors: Geißelsöder, Kerstin, Weiss, Maren, Boksán, Klara, Dechant, Michael, Endres, Johann, Breuer, Maike, Stemmler, Mark, Wodarz, Norbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Craving
Drug abuse
Drugs
Ex-convicts
Imprisonment
Longitudinal studies
Methadone
Narcotics
Opioids
Overdoses
Prisoners
Prisons
Relapse
Release
Research Report
Substitutes
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Aims: Opioid addiction is a common problem among prisoners. The aim of this study was to examine differences between people who are incarcerated receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) and those not receiving OST on addiction-related outcome variables during incarceration and after release from prison. Variables covered illicit use of opioids, non-prescribed substitution medication and other substances, opioid withdrawal symptoms, opioid craving, non-fatal overdoses and post-release substitution treatment. Design: Interviews (European Addiction Severity Index, EuropASI) were conducted with 247 participants in German prisons before release. Participants were interviewed again 1 month and 3–6 months after release from prison. Results: During incarceration, participants who received OST used less illicit opioids and non-prescribed substitution medication than those who did not receive OST. After release from prison, participants in the OST group reported less illicit opioid use and less non-prescribed substitution medication use, as well as less opioid craving. Participants who received OST in prison were more likely to be in OST at post-release follow-up than those who had not received in-prison OST. Conclusion: OST appears to have a positive effect on illicit opioid use and craving both in prison and after release, as well as on treatment at follow-up, which can be considered a protective factor.
ISSN:1455-0725
1458-6126
1458-6126
DOI:10.1177/14550725241276309