Use of long-acting injectable buprenorphine in the correctional setting

Community buprenorphine continuation post-release following extended release vs. sublingual buprenorphine during incarceration: a pilot project in Maine

“…Martin et al found that 70% (23 of 33) of incarcerated individuals who were treated with XRB continued with buprenorphine treatment in the community post-release. However, average time to first medication fill was 23.7 days in the Martin study, which was longer than we found for the pilot jail (mean = 13.1 days, among those with fills by day 35) (Martin et al, 2022 ). A small, randomized trial with 52 participants from New York City found community buprenorphine treatment retention at 8-weeks post-release was twice as high (69% vs. 35%) for participants treated with XRB compared with SLB prior to release (Lee et al, 2021 ).…”

“…While XRB is effective and well-tolerated, facilities often cite the cost of the medication as a primary barrier to implementation in a correctional setting (Berk et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Lintzeris et al, 2021 ; Wong et al, 2022 ). Still, XRB overcomes some of the other key barriers to MOUD implementation in jails and prisons such as diversion concerns, increased need for medical and security staff resources, and stigma toward those with OUD (Cheng et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Martin et al, 2022 ). Additionally, XRB has the potential to decrease the risk of post-release drug overdose by acting as a longer “bridge” to community buprenorphine treatment programs because the medication is therapeutic for approximately 26 to 44 days (Berk et al, 2022 ; Indivior, 2022 ).…”