The COVID-19 pandemic and opioid use disorder: Expanding treatment with buprenorphine, and combining safety precautions with telehealth.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of providing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and individualized telehealth in Kentucky, a state severely impacted simultaneously by the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The investigation analyzed pre- and post-COVID-19 characteristics in 191 opioid use disorder (OUD) buprenorphine outpatients who completed an 18-question survey in late 2020 related to COVID testing, OUD relapses, obstacles to maintaining abstinence, and treatment resources. RESULTS: The study revealed no statistically significant changes in drug use before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic despite monthly volume increases. Results further demonstrated statistically significant barriers to treatment, including loss of housing and transportation, food insecurity, and onset of depression. No patients required hospitalization or succumbed to OUD or COVID-19. Potentially effective resource utilization findings included clinic transportation and 24/7 crisis intervention. Respondents rated telehealth as helpful when used in an individualized hybrid model matching patient's need to available resources based on COVID-19 safety guidelines. CONCLUSION: This report yields key clinical insights into providing outpatient MOUD care during the COVID-19 pandemic, validating in-person care as both safe and effective. Patients' experiences proved helpful in identifying and quantifying obstacles to abstinence in conjunction with facilitating continued patient access to essential clinical resources. Notably, telehealth can supplement rather than replace in-person treatment.

Self-compassion in individuals with substance use disorder: the association with personal growth and well-being.

Individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who do not have empathy toward oneself, or self-compassion, may limit their opportunities for personal growth and overall well-being. Due to scarce empirical studies examining interactions between self-compassion, personal growth and well-being in persons with SUD, the goal of this research was to examine associations among these concepts. A survey was administered to patients in treatment for SUD using validated scales (Sussex-Oxford Compassion for the Self Scale (SSOCS-S), Personal Growth Initiative (PGI) Scale-II, and World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index) and 153 responses were collected. Over two-thirds (69.9%) of the sample were seeking treatment for addiction to prescription opioids; other substances used included heroin (37.3%), methamphetamine (30.7%), benzodiazepines (17%), fentanyl (15.7%), cocaine (9.8%), alcohol (9.8%), and other substances (3.9%). Gender identity, age, and length of treatment did not correlate with personal growth or well-being. Total self-compassion was significantly associated with personal growth initiative (r = .568, p < 0.001) and each of PGI subscales. Additionally, total self-compassion was significantly associated with well-being (r = .567, p < 0.001). When interacting with persons with SUD, we should instill the practice of self-compassion which may help accomplish personal growth and enhance well-being. These individuals need support and humanity from not only providers and loved ones, but also themselves.