“No home to take methadone to”: Experiences with addiction services during the COVID-19 pandemic among survivors of opioid overdose in Boston

Treatment retention, return to use, and recovery support following COVID-19 relaxation of methadone take-home dosing in two rural opioid treatment programs: A mixed methods analysis

“…The OTP had been established two years prior to the other site. These findings provide additional data on how patients adapted to COVID-19-related policy changes, the benefits and challenges with increased take-home doses, and possibilities for future directions of OTP-related regulations ( Harris et al, 2021 ; Levander, Hoffman, et al, 2021 ). Qualitative reports of continued recovery in the context of fewer restrictions suggest feasibility and desirability of enhanced access to take-homes without detrimental harm particularly in OTPs serving rural communities.…”

Changes in Buprenorphine and Methadone Supplies in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Another study of commercially insured patients 21 found a similar trend of less urine testing across existing and new patients and fewer individuals initiating MOUD. A qualitative study interviewing patients with OUD who had experienced an opioid overdose in the past 3 years 34 found that adapted substance use disorder treatment policies meant fractures to daily routines for some interviewees. Individuals receiving MOUD have reported having reduced doses or having temporarily stopped receiving MOUD during the pandemic.…”

“…Although the literature explaining state disparities in access to methadone is scant, some studies 16 , 26 , 33 , 34 have suggested that the aforementioned barriers could be exacerbated or mitigated by local governments’ responses to the opioid crisis after the COVID-19 outbreak. States with clear guidance and better funding for OTPs could experience less disruption of methadone supply.…”

The development and validation of the pandemic medication-assisted treatment questionnaire for the assessment of the impact of pandemic crises on medication management and administration for patients with opioid use disorders

“…Notwithstanding, because of the loosening of the regulations on MOUD attributed to COVID-19 measures, concerns regarding the diversion of opioids into the black market and the potential surge of harmful health consequences from misuse and overdose of prescribed medications have emerged (Del Pozo & Rich, 2020; Nagelhout et al, 2017; Nunes et al, 2021). To our knowledge, there is no available tool regarding the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management and administration of MOUD and on several health and social parameters that pertain to MAT patients as evaluated by the patients themselves (Harris et al, 2022). This is an important matter, since examined from the patient perspective, a major context for the observed impact of the pandemic-related changes on mental and clinical parameters could guide research and public health policies to address speci c issues as they have been stressed by the patients themselves (Harris et al, 2022).…”

“…To our knowledge, there is no available tool regarding the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management and administration of MOUD and on several health and social parameters that pertain to MAT patients as evaluated by the patients themselves (Harris et al, 2022). This is an important matter, since examined from the patient perspective, a major context for the observed impact of the pandemic-related changes on mental and clinical parameters could guide research and public health policies to address speci c issues as they have been stressed by the patients themselves (Harris et al, 2022).…”