Criminal Justice System Agents Who Provide Treatment and Opinions of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is an evidence-based treatment that can enable individuals who use opioids to have success in their recovery efforts. Because justice-involved persons have a high risk of overdose in the weeks after release from incarceration, exposure to evidence-based practices such as MOUD is critical to saving lives. However, MOUD can be highly stigmatized by providers of recovery services who operate within the criminal justice system. Using qualitative interview data collected from 25 social service clinicians working outside Kentucky correctional institutions and 32 substance abuse program clinicians and administrators working inside Kentucky correctional institutions, we examine the opinions of MOUD held not only by the interviewed participants but also their perceptions of the MOUD opinions held by correctional and medical staff. Preliminary findings suggest clinicians both inside and outside institutions have more positive feelings toward Vivitrol compared to buprenorphine and methadone due to its antagonist nature, although clinicians inside the institution were more open-minded about MOUD as a recovery tool than those outside. Understanding the opinions of MOUD of criminal justice agents will clarify educational needs to be implemented to combat MOUD stigma.

Author

• Marisa Booty, University of Kentucky