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Flike K, St Pierre C, Howard A, Tsai J. Changes in Pain Among Housed and Unhoused U.S. Veterans After Receiving Battlefield Acupuncture at One Medical Center. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2024; 30:306-309. [PMID: 37878270 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
This study reports on 54 homeless and 53 stably housed veterans who received battlefield acupuncture (BFA) between September 2018 and October 2022. Linear mixed-effects regressions were used to examine change in overall pain score and how pain impacted four areas: (1) activity, (2) sleep, (3) mood, and (4) stress over the course of 8 weeks from the baseline visit at one BFA clinic. Results indicated significant reductions in the impact of pain on activity, sleep, and stress among both homeless and housed veterans. Although overall pain levels were not significantly impacted, further research on the impact of BFA on homeless populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee Flike
- Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Health Care System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Cathy St Pierre
- Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Health Care System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra Howard
- Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Health Care System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Jack Tsai
- National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington, DC, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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2
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Mayer M, Mejia Urieta Y, Martinez LS, Komaromy M, Hughes U, Chatterjee A. Encampment Clearings And Transitional Housing: A Qualitative Analysis Of Resident Perspectives. Health Aff (Millwood) 2024; 43:218-225. [PMID: 38315933 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The number of people experiencing homelessness in tent encampments in the US has increased significantly. Citing concerns over health and safety, many cities have pursued highly visible encampment removals. In January 2022, a major tent encampment in Boston, Massachusetts, was cleared using a unique approach: Most encampment residents were placed in transitional harm reduction housing. We conducted interviews between July 2022 and February 2023 with thirty former encampment residents to explore how the encampment clearing affected their health and sense of safety. We also explored participants' perspectives on harm reduction housing. Of those interviewed, fourteen people had been placed in such housing. Among those not placed, the encampment clearing tended to exacerbate health and safety concerns, especially those related to mental health conditions and risk for violence. Among people successfully placed, harm reduction housing improved health and safety and allowed participants to make meaningful progress toward long-term goals such as addiction recovery, management of chronic health conditions, and permanent housing. Our findings suggest that encampments can have safety-promoting characteristics, but if encampment removal is pursued, offering harm reduction housing after removal can be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mayer
- Michael Mayer , Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Ursel Hughes
- Ursel Hughes, Dimmock Community Health Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Avik Chatterjee
- Avik Chatterjee, Boston Medical Center and Boston University
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Greenwald MK, Wiest KL, Haight BR, Laffont CM, Zhao Y. Examining the benefit of a higher maintenance dose of extended-release buprenorphine in opioid-injecting participants treated for opioid use disorder. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:173. [PMID: 38042801 PMCID: PMC10693082 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BUP-XR (SUBLOCADE®) is the first buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection approved in the USA for monthly treatment of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder (OUD). Among patients with OUD, those who inject or use high doses of opioids likely require higher doses of buprenorphine to maximize treatment efficacy. The objective of this analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of 100-mg versus 300-mg maintenance doses of BUP-XR in OUD patients who inject opioids. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which adults with moderate or severe OUD received monthly injections of BUP-XR (2 × 300-mg doses, then 4 × 100-mg or 300-mg maintenance doses) or placebo for 24 weeks. Abstinence was defined as opioid-negative urine drug screens combined with negative self-reports collected weekly. Each participant's percentage abstinence was calculated after the first, second, and third maintenance doses in opioid-injecting and non-injecting participants. The proportion of participants achieving opioid abstinence in each group was also calculated weekly. Treatment retention rate following the first maintenance dose was estimated for opioid-injecting participants with Kaplan-Meier method. Risk-adjusted comparisons were made via inverse propensity weighting using propensity scores. Buprenorphine plasma concentration-time profiles were compared between injecting and non-injecting participants. The percentages of participants reporting treatment-emergent adverse events were compared between maintenance dose groups within injecting and non-injecting participants separately. RESULTS BUP-XR 100-mg and 300-mg maintenance doses were equally effective in non-injecting participants. However, in opioid-injecting participants, the 300-mg maintenance dose delivered clinically meaningful improvements over the 100-mg maintenance dose for treatment retention and opioid abstinence. Exposure-response analyses confirmed that injecting participants would require higher buprenorphine plasma concentrations compared to non-injecting opioid participants to achieve similar efficacy in terms of opioid abstinence. Importantly, both 100- and 300-mg maintenance doses had comparable safety profiles, including hepatic safety events. CONCLUSIONS These analyses show clear benefits of the 300-mg maintenance dose in injecting participants, while no additional benefit was observed in non-injecting participants relative to the 100-mg maintenance dose. This is an important finding as opioid-injecting participants represent a high-risk and difficult-to-treat population. Optimal buprenorphine dosing in this population might facilitate harm reduction by improving abstinence and treatment retention. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02357901.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark K Greenwald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Yue Zhao
- Indivior, Inc., North Chesterfield, VA, USA
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Clingan SE, Cousins SJ, Lin C, Nguyen TE, Hser YI, Mooney LJ. Perceptions of COVID-19 risk during the pandemic: perspectives from people seeking medication for opioid use disorder. Ann Med 2023; 55:480-489. [PMID: 36692029 PMCID: PMC9879168 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2169342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had devastating consequences for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Yet, little is known about how people seeking treatment for OUD perceive the risks of COVID-19 and how their perception interplays with their health behaviours. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted from September 2021 to March 2022 with 32 patients seeking medication treatment for OUD (MOUD) in Southern California. All interviews were conducted virtually and lasted between one and two hours. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two qualitative researchers independently conducted a content analysis of the transcripts to identify themes. RESULTS Three primary themes were identified: (1) perceptions and beliefs about COVID-19 susceptibility and severity; (2) perceptions of COVID-19 risk compared to substance use behaviours; and (3) vaccine hesitancy. Participants were mixed in their beliefs of susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 and the severity of the disease if contracted. Some participants reported taking precautions to mitigate their chances of acquiring COVID-19, and other participants reported that COVID was not a big concern as substance use took priority. For many of the participants, COVID-19 concerns were overshadowed by the risk of overdosing on substances and other risky substance use behaviour. Most of the participants (n = 23; 72%) had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine by the time of the interview, but over half (n = 19; 59%) expressed vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy was driven by concerns about the unknown long-term side effects and potential interactions of the vaccine with MOUD. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insight into COVID-19 prevention measures as well as vaccination perceptions and hesitancy among people who received treatment for OUD.Key messagesParticipants expressed diverse perceptions of the seriousness of COVID-19, with some taking precautions to mitigate their chances of acquiring COVID-19 and others perceiving that the risk of contracting COVID-19 was less than the risk of overdosing.Substance use, social isolation, vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 risk behaviours should be studied as co-occurring phenomena that have potentially overlapping relationships that can influence behaviours that impact health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Clingan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah J. Cousins
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chunqing Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tram E. Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yih-Ing Hser
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Larissa J. Mooney
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Compton MT, Frimpong EY, Fu E, Ehntholt A, Chaudhry S, Ferdousi W, Rowan GA, Swetnam H, Radigan M, Smith TE, Rotter M. Associations Between Cumulative Social Adversities and Substance Use Comorbidity in a Statewide Sample of Individuals in Treatment for Mental Illnesses. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:814-818. [PMID: 37552046 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT We sought to investigate associations of cumulative social adversities in four areas (low education, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal/legal involvement) with presence of comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders among individuals in treatment for mental illnesses. Using data from 103,416 adults in mental health treatment, generalized estimating equation modified Poisson models were used to estimate increased risk of having comorbid substance use disorders based on individual and/or cumulative number of social adversities present. Controlling for effects of sex, race/ethnicity, and region (New York City vs . the rest of the State), as well as for the other social adversities, each of four social adversities was associated with presence of substance use comorbidity. Relative to having none of the social adversities, the presence of one, two, three, or four was associated with an increased prevalence ratio (PR) of having substance use comorbidity: 1.44, 2.10, 2.66, and 2.92; all p 's < 0.0001. PRs were greater among female patients, and among Hispanics and those classified as other or multiracial compared with non-Hispanic Whites or non-Hispanic Blacks. Findings indicate substantial associations between four social adversities and presence of substance use comorbidity; the strength of association with the four social adversities is cumulative.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - En Fu
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | | | - Sahil Chaudhry
- New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, New York
| | | | - Grace A Rowan
- New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, New York
| | - Hannah Swetnam
- New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, New York
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Ezell JM. Climate Change and the Opioid Epidemic. J Addict Med 2023; 17:500-502. [PMID: 37788599 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ongoing assessments by climate scientists, including a recent report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, punctuate the pronounced effect that climate change is poised to have in the near future on the health and well-being of humans-particularly those with low socioeconomic status-throughout the world. To this end, to date, very limited scholarly attention has been placed on the effects that climate change may have on people who use drugs (PWUDs), in particular those with opioid use disorder, and assessed their structural and social determinants of climate change vulnerability. Since COVID-19, which has key lessons to offer on climate change's potential effects on PWUDs, the opioid epidemic has been rapidly accelerating in terms of its socioeconomic, racial, and geographic reach. The opioid epidemic has been further deepened by increasing fentanyl contamination and co-use with stimulants such as methamphetamine and (crack) cocaine, spurring a heavy increase in overdose deaths. These trends highlight a looming confrontation between the world's complex overdose crisis and its equally intensifying climate emergency. This piece contextualizes the specter of harms that climate change is likely to cultivate against PWUDs and offers strategies for mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerel M Ezell
- From the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health Community Health Sciences, Berkeley, CA
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Tarn DM, Shih KJ, Ober AJ, Hunter SB, Watkins KE, Martinez J, Montero A, McCreary M, Leamon I, Sheehe J, Bromley E. Perspectives Regarding Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among Individuals with Mental Illness. Community Ment Health J 2023; 59:345-356. [PMID: 35906435 PMCID: PMC9859922 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-022-01012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Most people with co-occurring opioid use disorder (OUD) and mental illness do not receive effective medications for treating OUD. To investigate perspectives of adults in a publicly-funded mental health system regarding medications for OUD (MOUD), we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 13 adults with OUD (current or previous diagnosis) receiving mental health treatment. Themes that emerged included: perceiving or using MOUDs as a substitute for opioids or a temporary solution to prevent withdrawal symptoms; negative perceptions about methadone/methadone clinics; and viewing MOUD use as "cheating". Readiness to quit was important for patients to consider MOUDs. All participants were receptive to discussing MOUDs with their mental health providers and welcomed the convenience of receiving care for their mental health and OUD at the same location. In conclusion, clients at publicly-funded mental health clinics support MOUD treatment, signaling a need to expand access and build awareness of MOUDs in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derjung M Tarn
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Kevin J Shih
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Alanna Montero
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael McCreary
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - John Sheehe
- LA County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bromley
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Bennett AS, Guarino H, Britton PC, O'Brien-Mazza D, Cook SH, Taveras F, Cortez J, Elliott L. U.S. Military veterans and the opioid overdose crisis: a review of risk factors and prevention efforts. Ann Med 2022; 54:1826-1838. [PMID: 35792749 PMCID: PMC9262363 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2092896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
U.S. military veterans have been heavily impacted by the opioid overdose crisis, with drug overdose mortality rates increasing by 53% from 2010-2019. Risk for overdose among veterans is complex and influenced by ongoing interaction among physiological/biological, psychological, and socio-structural factors. A thorough understanding of opioid-related overdose among veterans, one that goes beyond simple pharmacological determinism, must examine the interplay of pain, pain treatment, and stress, as well as psychological and social experiences-before, during, and after military service. Comprehensive efforts to tackle the overdose crisis among veterans require interventions that address each of these dimensions. Promising interventions include widespread naloxone distribution and increased provision of low-threshold wrap-around services, including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and holistic/complementary approaches. Interventions that are delivered by peers - individuals who share key experiential or sociodemographic characteristics with the population being served - may be ideally suited to address many of the barriers to opioid-related risk mitigation common among veterans. Community care models could be beneficial for the large proportion of veterans who are not connected to the Veterans Health Administration and for veterans who, for various reasons including mental health problems and the avoidance of stigma, are socially isolated or reluctant to use traditional substance use services. Interventions need to be tailored in such a way that they reach those more socially isolated veterans who may not have access to naloxone or the social support to help them in overdose situations. It is important to incorporate the perspectives and voices of veterans with lived experience of substance use into the design and implementation of new overdose prevention resources and strategies to meet the needs of this population. Key messagesU.S. military veterans have been heavily impacted by the opioid overdose crisis, with drug overdose mortality rates increasing by 53% from 2010-2019.The risks for overdose that veterans face need to be understood as resulting from an ongoing interaction among biological/physiological, psychological, and social/structural factors.Addressing drug overdose in the veteran population requires accessible and non-judgemental, low threshold, wraparound, and holistic solutions that recognise the complex aetiology of overdose risk for veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Bennett
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (cduhr.org), New York, NY, USA
| | - Honoria Guarino
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (cduhr.org), New York, NY, USA.,CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter C Britton
- VA Center for Excellence, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Stephanie H Cook
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (cduhr.org), New York, NY, USA
| | - Franklin Taveras
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan Cortez
- OnPoint, New York Harm Reduction Educators/Washington Heights Corner Project, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luther Elliott
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (cduhr.org), New York, NY, USA
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