Diversion of medications to treat opioid use disorder: Qualitative findings from formerly incarcerated adults in Massachusetts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carceral officials often cite diversion of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (e.g., buprenorphine) as a reason for not offering MOUD treatment in jails and prisons with little understanding of patient perspectives. We aimed to understand patient perceptions of medication diversion from jail-based MOUD programs and the factors that contribute to and reduce diversion.

Methods

We conducted thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews held in 2021-22 with 38 adults who received MOUD treatment and were released from eight Massachusetts jails that had implemented a MOUD program on or after September 2019.

Results

Consistent with prior reports from carceral staff, patients perceived MOUD diversion to happen less frequently than expected, which they attr

SUBMITTER: Evans EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10841635 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature