Methadone Access for Opioid Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic Within the United States and Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Methadone access may be uniquely vulnerable to disruption during COVID-19, and even short delays in access are associated with decreased medication initiation and increased illicit opioid use and overdose death. Relative to Canada, US methadone provision is more restricted and limited to specialized opioid treatment programs.

Objective

To compare timely access to methadone initiation in the US and Canada during COVID-19.

Design, setting, and participants

This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2020. Participating clinics provided methadone for opioid use disorder in 14 US states and territories and 3 Canadian provinces with the highest opioid overdose death rates. Statistical analysis was performed from July 2020 to January 2021.

Exposu

SUBMITTER: Joudrey PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8303098 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature