Harm Reduction

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonal Batra ◽  
Noah Villegas ◽  
Erin Zerbo
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Maladaptive Behaviors ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Humanistic Approach ◽  
Female Sex Work

Harm reduction is defined as a set of policies, programs, and practices aimed at reducing the negative health, social, and economic consequences associated with various behaviors. Although classically applied to the treatment of substance use disorders, its scope has broadened over time to include high-risk sexual activity, nonadherence to treatment, and other behaviors that may lead to negative consequences. In addition to providing relevant historical context for scenarios encountered, this chapter uses a case to demonstrate how a provider might take a nonjudgmental and humanistic approach to identifying maladaptive behaviors and apply evidence-based, realistic interventions to reduce associated harms. Specific topics discussed include opioid use disorder, tobacco use disorder, female sex work, and nonadherence to psychotropic medications.

scholarly journals A Personalized, Interactive, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Based Digital Therapeutic (MODIA) for Adjunctive Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Development Study

10.2196/31173 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e31173
Author(s):  
Björn Meyer ◽  
Geri-Lynn Utter ◽  
Catherine Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Economic Implications

Background Opioid use disorder (OUD) is characterized by the inability to control opioid use despite attempts to stop use and negative consequences to oneself and others. The burden of opioid misuse and OUD is a national crisis in the United States with substantial public health, social, and economic implications. Although medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has demonstrated efficacy in the management of OUD, access to effective counseling and psychosocial support is a limiting factor and a significant problem for many patients and physicians. Digital therapeutics are an innovative class of interventions that help prevent, manage, or treat diseases by delivering therapy using software programs. These applications can circumvent barriers to uptake, improve treatment adherence, and enable broad delivery of evidence-based management strategies to meet service gaps. However, few digital therapeutics specifically targeting OUD are available, and additional options are needed. Objective To this end, we describe the development of the novel digital therapeutic MODIA. Methods MODIA was developed by an international, multidisciplinary team that aims to provide effective, accessible, and sustainable management for patients with OUD. Although MODIA is aligned with principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, it was not designed to present any 1 specific treatment and uses a broad range of evidence-based behavior change techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing. Results MODIA uses proprietary software that dynamically tailors content to the users’ responses. The MODIA program comprises 24 modules or “chats” that patients are instructed to work through independently. Patient responses dictate subsequent content, creating a “simulated dialogue” experience between the patient and program. MODIA also includes brief motivational text messages that are sent regularly to prompt patients to use the program and help them transfer therapeutic techniques into their daily routines. Thus, MODIA offers individuals with OUD a custom-tailored, interactive digital psychotherapy intervention that maximizes the personal relevance and emotional impact of the interaction. Conclusions As part of a clinician-supervised MAT program, MODIA will allow more patients to begin psychotherapy concurrently with opioid maintenance treatment. We expect access to MODIA will improve the OUD management experience and provide sustainable positive outcomes for patients.

scholarly journals A Personalized, Interactive, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Based Digital Therapeutic (MODIA) for Adjunctive Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Development Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Meyer ◽  
Geri-Lynn Utter ◽  
Catherine Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Economic Implications

BACKGROUND Opioid use disorder (OUD) is characterized by the inability to control opioid use despite attempts to stop use and negative consequences to oneself and others. The burden of opioid misuse and OUD is a national crisis in the United States with substantial public health, social, and economic implications. Although medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has demonstrated efficacy in the management of OUD, access to effective counseling and psychosocial support is a limiting factor and a significant problem for many patients and physicians. Digital therapeutics are an innovative class of interventions that help prevent, manage, or treat diseases by delivering therapy using software programs. These applications can circumvent barriers to uptake, improve treatment adherence, and enable broad delivery of evidence-based management strategies to meet service gaps. However, few digital therapeutics specifically targeting OUD are available, and additional options are needed. OBJECTIVE To this end, we describe the development of the novel digital therapeutic MODIA. METHODS MODIA was developed by an international, multidisciplinary team that aims to provide effective, accessible, and sustainable management for patients with OUD. Although MODIA is aligned with principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, it was not designed to present any 1 specific treatment and uses a broad range of evidence-based behavior change techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing. RESULTS MODIA uses proprietary software that dynamically tailors content to the users’ responses. The MODIA program comprises 24 modules or “chats” that patients are instructed to work through independently. Patient responses dictate subsequent content, creating a “simulated dialogue” experience between the patient and program. MODIA also includes brief motivational text messages that are sent regularly to prompt patients to use the program and help them transfer therapeutic techniques into their daily routines. Thus, MODIA offers individuals with OUD a custom-tailored, interactive digital psychotherapy intervention that maximizes the personal relevance and emotional impact of the interaction. CONCLUSIONS As part of a clinician-supervised MAT program, MODIA will allow more patients to begin psychotherapy concurrently with opioid maintenance treatment. We expect access to MODIA will improve the OUD management experience and provide sustainable positive outcomes for patients.

Championing Change to Save Lives: A Call to Action to Implement Reforms to Increase Use of Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in Correctional Settings

2020 ◽  
pp. 073401682098162
Author(s):  
Sonia L. Canzater ◽  
Regina M. LaBelle
Keyword(s):  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Correctional Settings ◽  
Overdose Deaths

The disproportional rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) in U.S. correctional facilities make them prime intervention points to treat OUD utilizing medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD), the evidence-based clinical standard of care. MOUD has been shown to be effective to support recovery and reduce recurrence of OUD, overdose deaths, and recidivism for justice-involved persons both while incarcerated and once they reenter their communities. Despite the high prevalence, most jails and prisons do not offer MOUD. Litigation has spurred expanded access in more facilities, but widespread MOUD access can only become a reality through a comprehensive effort of corrections officials, medical experts, advocates, legislators, and other champions to raise awareness and affect ideological and policy change. It is a legal and ethical imperative that the lives of justice-involved persons not be jeopardized by the lack of evidence-based treatment for OUD in correctional settings.

A review of the evidence to explain pharmacological basis of injection (ab)use of buprenorphine–naloxone tablets

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Tamoud Modak, MD, DM ◽  
Siddharth Sarkar, MD, MRCPsych ◽  
Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, MD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
Opioid Replacement Therapy ◽  
Pharmacological Basis

Opioid use disorder is a major public health problem, and opioid replacement therapy with buprenorphine (BPN) is a clinically effective and evidence-based treatment for it. To deter misuse of the tablet through the injecting route, BPN coformulated with naloxone (BNX) in 4:1 ratio is available in many countries. Despite this, significant diversion and injecting use of the BNX combination has been reported from across the world. In this article, the pharmacological properties of BPN and BNX and the evidence for their diversion are reviewed. Also, a critical examination is made of the evidence supporting the role of naloxone in reducing the agonist effects of BPN when used through the injecting route. Based on this evidence, a hypothesis explaining the continued diversion of BNX has been proposed.

scholarly journals Early innovations in opioid use disorder treatment and harm reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noa Krawczyk ◽  
Adetayo Fawole ◽  
Jenny Yang ◽  
Babak Tofighi
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Long Acting

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a significant toll on the lives of people who use opioids (PWUOs). At the same time, more flexible regulations around provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) services have led to new opportunities for facilitating access to services for PWUOs. In the current scoping review, we describe new services and service modifications implemented by treatment and harm reduction programs serving PWUO, and discuss implications for policy and practice. Methods Literature searches were conducted within PubMed, LitCovid, Embase, and PsycInfo for English-language studies published in 2020 that describe a particular program, service, or intervention aimed at facilitating access to OUD treatment and/or harm reduction services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abstracts were independently screened by two reviewers. Relevant studies were reviewed in full and those that met inclusion criteria underwent final data extraction and synthesis (n = 25). We used a narrative synthesis approach to identify major themes around key service modifications and innovations implemented across programs serving PWUO. Results Reviewed OUD treatment and harm reduction services spanned five continents and a range of settings from substance use treatment to street outreach programs. Innovative service modifications to adapt to COVID-19 circumstances primarily involved expanded use of telehealth services (e.g., telemedicine visits for buprenorphine, virtual individual or group therapy sessions, provision of donated or publicly available phones), increased take-home medication allowances for methadone and buprenorphine, expanded uptake of long-acting opioid medications (e.g. extended-release buprenorphine and naltrexone), home delivery of services (e.g. MOUD, naloxone and urine drug screening), outreach and makeshift services for delivering MOUD and naloxone, and provision of a safe supply of opioids. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has posed multiple challenges for PWUOs, while simultaneously accelerating innovations in policies, care models, and technologies to lower thresholds for life-saving treatment and harm reduction services. Such innovations highlight novel patient-centered and feasible approaches to mitigating OUD related harms. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term impact of these approaches and inform policies that improve access to care for PWUOs.

scholarly journals Beyond Antibiotics: A Practical Guide for the Infectious Disease Physician to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in the Setting of Associated Infectious Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Seval ◽  
Ellen Eaton ◽  
Sandra A Springer
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Extended Release ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Infectious Disease Physician ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Acute Injection

Abstract Infections are a common cause of hospitalization for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), and hospital admissions are rising in the context of the worsening US opioid crisis. Infectious disease (ID) physicians are frequently the first point of medical contact for these patients. In this article, we discuss the integration of evidence-based management of OUD and patient-centered care of hospitalized persons with acute injection-related infections. We describe the following components of a comprehensive approach for OUD with inpatient ID consultations: (1) how to screen for OUD; (2) how to initiate the 3 US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for OUD (buprenorphine, methadone, and extended-release naltrexone); (3) how to manage acute pain and opioid-related conditions; and (4) how to link and integrate ID and OUD treatment after hospital discharge. These strategies reduce unplanned discharges and increase completion of recommended antimicrobial regimens.

scholarly journals MP11: Emergency physician attitudes on opioid use disorder and barriers to providing buprenorphine/naloxone

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S46-S46
Author(s):  
D. Webster ◽  
T. Meyer ◽  
C. Crain ◽  
J. Fraser ◽  
P. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Physician Attitudes ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Medically Ill ◽  
Bridge Program ◽  
Narrow Scope ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Systemic Health

Introduction: Buprenorphine/naloxone (buprenorphine) has proven to be a life-saving intervention amidst the ongoing opioid epidemic in Canada. Research has shown benefits to initiating buprenorphine from the emergency department (ED) including improved treatment retention, systemic health care savings and fewer drug-related visits to the ED. Despite this, there has been little to no uptake of this evidence-based practice in our department. This qualitative study aimed to determine the local barriers and potential solutions to initiating buprenorphine in the ED and gain an understanding of physician attitudes and behaviours regarding harm reduction care and opioid use disorder management. Methods: ED physicians at a midsize Atlantic hospital were recruited by convenience sampling to participate in semi-structured privately conducted interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and de-identified transcripts were uploaded to NVivo 12 plus for concept driven and inductive coding and a hierarchy of open, axial and selective coding was employed. Transcripts were independently reviewed by a local qualitative research expert and themes were compared for similarity to limit bias. Interview saturation was reached after 7 interviews. Results: Emergent themes included a narrow scope of harm reduction care that primarily focused on abstinence-based therapies and a multitude of biases including feelings of deception, fear of diversion, feeling buprenorphine induction was too time consuming for the ED and differentiating patients with opioid use disorder from ‘medically ill’ patients. Several barriers and proposed solutions to initiating buprenorphine from the ED were elicited including lack of training and need for formal education, poor familiarity with buprenorphine, the need for an algorithm and community bridge program and formal supports such as an addictions consult team for the ED. Conclusion: This study elicited several opportunities for improved care for patients with addictions presenting to our ED. Future education will focus on harm reduction care, specifically strategies for managing patients desiring to continue to use substances. Education will focus on addressing the multitude of biases elicited and dispelling common myths. A locally informed buprenorphine pathway will be developed. In future, this study may be used to advocate for improved formal supports for our department including an addictions consult team.

scholarly journals Opioid Use in Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Matson ◽  
Peter N. Johnson ◽  
Van Tran ◽  
Evan R. Horton ◽  
Jennifer Sterner-Allison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Electronic Prescription

Limited guidance on opioid use exists in the pediatric population, causing medication safety concerns for pain management in children and adolescents. Opioid misuse and use disorder continue to greatly affect adolescents and young adults in the United States, furthering the apprehension of their use. Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) recommends pharmacists contribute their knowledge to pain management in children, including the discussion of appropriate use of non-opioid alternatives for pain and when to recommend coprescribing of naloxone. PPAG also supports the review of electronic prescription drug–monitoring programs prior to opioid prescribing and dispensing by both prescribers and pharmacists. Education by pharmacists of children and their families regarding proper administration, storage, and disposal, as well as the awareness of opioid misuse and use disorder among adolescents and young adults, is key to prevention. If opioid use disorder is diagnosed, PPAG encourages improved access among adolescents to evidence-based medications including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Furthermore, pharmacists should assist in screening and referral to evidence-based treatment.

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