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A Transitional Opioid Program to Engage Hospitalized Drug Users

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Many opioid-dependent patients do not receive care for addiction issues when hospitalized for other medical problems. Based on 3 years of clinical practice, we report the Transitional Opioid Program (TOP) experience using hospitalization as a “reachable moment” to identify and link opioid-dependent persons to addiction treatment from medical care.

METHODS

A program nurse identified, assessed, and enrolled hospitalized, out-of-treatment opioid-dependent drug users based on their receipt of methadone during hospitalization. At discharge, patients transitioned to an outpatient interim opioid agonist program providing 30-day stabilization followed by 60-day taper. The nurse provided case management emphasizing HIV risk reduction, health education, counseling, and medical follow-up. Treatment outcomes included opioid agonist stabilization then taper or transfer to long-term opioid agonist treatment.

RESULTS

From January 2002 to January 2005, 362 unique hospitalized, opioid-dependent drug users were screened; 56% (n = 203) met eligibility criteria and enrolled into the program. Subsequently, 82% (167/203) presented to the program clinic post-hospital discharge; for 59% (119/203) treatment was provided, for 26% (52/203) treatment was not provided, and for 16% (32/203) treatment was not possible (pursuit of TOP objectives precluded by medical problems, psychiatric issues, or incarceration). Program patients adhered to a spectrum of medical recommendations (e.g., obtaining prescription medications, medical follow-up).

CONCLUSIONS

The Transitional Opioid Program (TOP) identified at-risk hospitalized, out-of-treatment opioid-dependent drug users and, by offering a range of treatment intensity options, engaged a majority into addiction treatment. Hospitalization can be a “reachable moment” to engage and link drug users into addiction treatment.

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Acknowledgements

Preliminary study results were presented by CW Shanahan at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Conference, Washington DC (October 2003), and by JH Samet, in a symposium at the 2007 Addiction Health Services Research conference, Athens, Georgia (October 2007). We appreciate the support of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health—HIV/AIDS Bureau and the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for funding this pilot project, with particular appreciation to Jean F. McGuire, PhD, former Director of the HIV/AIDS Bureau. We also appreciate the leadership of Mr. Tom Scott, former Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services, and Barbara Dworetzky, MD, for her reviews of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christopher W. Shanahan MD, MPH.

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Shanahan, C.W., Beers, D., Alford, D.P. et al. A Transitional Opioid Program to Engage Hospitalized Drug Users. J GEN INTERN MED 25, 803–808 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1311-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1311-3

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