Factors associated with receipt of medication for opioid use disorder among pregnant individuals entering treatment programs in the U.S.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant individuals in the U.S. has been on the rise, and carries significant health risks if left untreated. Despite the effectiveness of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), rates of treatment utilization remain low, and access varies by state. This study seeks to expand on what is known about the utilization of MOUD by estimating annual percentages of MOUD use among treatment admissions among pregnant individuals across all 50 states and U.S. regions. The study also examines how pregnant people experiencing OUD are referred to substance use treatment programs to better understand which referral sources are most effective at linking them to MOUD. METHODS: This study estimated MOUD utilization among pregnant admissions over a 9-year period, identifying trends in the use of this treatment, using national and state level data from the Treatment Episode Dataset-Admissions (TEDS-A). The sample were pregnant females who admitted to treatment with opioids as a primary substance use problem, in all 50 states, from 2010 to 2018. The study examined the referral pathways through which pregnant individuals enter treatment, identifying variations in how they are linked with MOUD. A binary logistic regression was conducted to estimate significant sociodemographic characteristics and referral sources associated with MOUD receipt in treatment. RESULTS: Among admissions who reported both pregnancy and OUD across nine years (n= 84,492), the average percentage of MOUD use was 50.8%. Average annual MOUD use was highest in the Northeast region (63.42%), and lowest in the South (34.01%). Maine had the highest MOUD use, for an average of 81.99% across all years. Pregnant individuals who were self-referred to treatment comprised the largest percentage of admissions leading to MOUD use (62.1%), and those referred by the criminal justice system or other legal entity resulted in the lowest MOUD use across years (23.6%). Binary logistic regression results found that race, education, employment status, and referral source were significantly associated with MOUD receipt in 2018; specifically, individuals with a higher education, those were unemployed, and those who were referred to treatment by another substance use or healthcare provider or from the criminal or legal system, were significantly less likely to receive MOUD. CONCLUSION: This study estimated that an average of approximately half of admissions who were pregnant with OUD received MOUD as part of their treatment plans, and identified regional and state trends which can be further investigated to understand factors contributing to these geographical variations in MOUD access. Also notable were findings pertaining to low MOUD receipt among those referred from criminal or legal entities, warranting further investigation. These findings can lead to a better understanding of which referral sources to treatment can act as effective pathways to MOUD, and best practices to link pregnant individuals with evidence-based care.

It takes a village: A pilot study of a group telehealth intervention for support persons affected by opioid use disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Opioid use disorder (OUD) has devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities. The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is a Support Person (SP)-focused intervention that aims to increase SPs' communication strategies, positive reinforcement/rewards, and social support. This pilot study, called eINSPIRE (INtegrating Support Persons Into REcovery), adapted CRAFT for delivery via group telehealth. The aims were to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of this intervention on patient buprenorphine retention and SP mental health. METHODS: The study recruited patients receiving buprenorphine treatment in a primary care setting across five community health centers with their SP (N = 100 dyads). SP participants were randomly assigned to receive usual care (UC) or the eINSPIRE intervention. We interviewed Patients and SPs at baseline and three months later. The study collected patient buprenorphine retention data from the electronic medical record three months post-baseline. RESULTS: About 88 % (656/742) of potentially eligible patients were able to nominate a SP and 69 % (100/145) of nominated SPs were eligible and consented to the study. eINSPIRE groups had low reach (25 % of SPs attended), but high exposure (M = 7 of 10 sessions attended) and acceptability (classes helped them with their patient's OUD). The proportion of eINSPIRE patients (68 %) and UC patients (53 %) retained on buprenorphine at follow-up were similar (p = 0.203). SPs in both conditions reported similar reductions in their depression, anxiety, and impairment symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data suggest that eINSPIRE groups may not be feasible in primary care without further adaptations for this population. A future study with a larger sample size is needed to elucidate the observed distribution differences in buprenorphine retention. Future research should also explore methods to reduce barriers to SP session attendance to improve the reach of this evidence-based intervention.

Factors Associated With Indirect Exposure to and Knowledge of Fentanyl Among Youth.

PURPOSE: Using data from an online assessment of youth in the United States, this study examined factors associated with youth's indirect exposure to fentanyl; factors related to youth's level of knowledge of fentanyl; and sources of substance use information obtained by youth. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional online assessment of youth ages 13 to 18 in the United States in 2022. Participants self-reported on substance use knowledge and concerns, indirect exposure to substance use, access to substance use information and resources, the extent to which youth discussed drug use harms with someone, and COVID-related stress. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that most youth did not have knowledge of fentanyl even though they reported indirect likely exposure to fentanyl. Youth concerned about alcohol or drug use in their own life were less likely to have knowledge of fentanyl and more likely to know someone who, if using drugs, would likely be exposed to fentanyl. A significant risk factor of indirect likely exposure to fentanyl was COVID-related stress. Prevalent sources of information included the internet, social media, friends or peers, and school classes. DISCUSSION: While youth may have close proximity to fentanyl exposure and a degree of understanding of fentanyl, there is a general lack of knowledge of the substance, a critical gap that future substance use prevention initiatives could fill.

Motivational Enhancement Interventions to Increase Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use in Sexual Minority Men Who Use Stimulants: Protocol for a Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could substantially mitigate HIV risk, sexual minority men who use stimulants commonly experience difficulties with engaging in PrEP clinical services. Motivational interviewing (MI) and contingency management (CM) reduce substance use and condomless anal sex (CAS) in this population, but these motivational enhancement interventions require modifications to promote engagement along the PrEP care continuum. OBJECTIVE: PrEP Readiness Interventions for Supporting Motivation (PRISM) is a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of distinct combinations of telehealth MI and CM in 70 cisgender sexual minority men who use stimulants that are not currently taking PrEP. METHODS: A national sample was recruited via social networking applications to complete a baseline assessment and mail-in HIV testing. Those with nonreactive HIV results were randomized to receive either (1) a 2-session MI intervention focusing on PrEP use (session 1) and concomitant stimulant use or CAS (session 2) or (2) a CM intervention with financial incentives for documented evidence of PrEP clinical evaluation by a medical provider (US $50) and filling a PrEP prescription (US $50). At the 3-month follow-up assessment, participants who reported they had not filled a prescription for PrEP were randomized a second time to either (1) switch to a second-stage intervention (ie, MI+CM or CM+MI) or (2) continue with assessments only. Outcomes for both responders and nonresponders were reassessed at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is documented evidence of filling a PrEP prescription over 6 months. Self-reported secondary outcomes include PrEP clinical evaluation by a medical provider, stimulant use, and CAS. Qualitative exit interviews were conducted with a subgroup of responders and nonresponders to characterize their experiences with the MI and CM interventions. RESULTS: Implementation of PRISM underscores challenges in reaching sexual minority men who use stimulants to optimize HIV prevention efforts. Approximately 1 in 10 (104/1060) eligible participants have enrolled. Of the 104 who enrolled, 87 (84%) completed mail-in HIV testing. We delivered 5 preliminary HIV-positive results, including posttest counseling with referrals to confirmatory testing. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned from PRISM underscore the central importance of a flexible, participant-centered approach to support the engagement of sexual minority men who use stimulants. Leveraging telehealth platforms to deliver motivational enhancement interventions also expanded their reach and potential public health impact with this high-priority population. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of telehealth MI and CM for supporting PrEP use in sexual minority men who use stimulants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04205487; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04205487. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/48459.

Virtual Worlds Technology to Enhance Training for Primary Care Providers in Assessment and Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Motivational Interviewing: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) first present to primary care rather than specialty mental health care. Primary care providers often lack the training required to assess and treat patients with PTSD. Virtual trainings have emerged as a convenient and effective way of training primary care providers in PTSD assessment and communication methods (ie, motivational interviewing [MI]). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of a synchronous Virtual Worlds (VW; a virtual world where learners were immersed as avatars) training versus an asynchronous web-based training on PTSD and MI, comparing the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and preliminary efficacy of 2 different training platforms among primary care providers. METHODS: Participating primary care providers were randomized to a VW and a web-based PTSD training. Outcomes were collected at baseline, posttraining, and 90-days follow-up. Standardized patient interviews measured participants' communication skills in assessing and managing patients with PTSD symptoms. RESULTS: Compared to the web-based training, the VW training platform achieved larger learning gains in MI (ie, partnership and empathy) and in discussing pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for PTSD. Both VW and web-based trainings led to increases in PTSD knowledge and primary care providers' self-confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The asynchronous web-based PTSD training improved PTSD-related knowledge and self-confidence but was not as effective as the VW immersive experience in teaching MI or clinical management. Because VW training is synchronous and new for many learners, it required more time, facilitation, and technical support. As computer technology improves, VW educational interventions may become more feasible, particularly in teaching clinical skills. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03898271; https://tinyurl.com/mu479es5.

Developing and testing a COVID-19 vaccination acceptance intervention: A pragmatic trial comparing vaccine acceptance intervention vs usual care - Rationale, methods, and implementation.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has resulted in significant disability and loss of life. COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Nevertheless, many people remain hesitant to accept vaccination. Veterans perceive healthcare providers (HCP) and staff as trusted vaccine information sources and thereby are well suited to initiate vaccine discussions. The overall objective of this study is to implement and test a virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Intervention (VAI) training that is informed by motivational interviewing (MI) techniques. METHODS: The VAI training is being delivered to VA HCPs and staff within a Hybrid Type 2 pragmatic implementation-effectiveness trial using Implementation Facilitation as the implementation strategy. The implementation team includes external facilitators paired with VA Healthcare System (VAHCS)-level internal facilitators. The trial has three aims: 1) Examine the effectiveness of the VAI versus usual care on unvaccinated veterans' vaccination rates in a one-year cluster randomized controlled trial, with randomization at the level of VAHCS. 2) Determine factors associated with veterans' decisions to accept or decline primary COVID-19 vaccination, and better understand how these factors influence vaccination decisions, through survey and qualitative data; and 3) Use qualitative interviews with HCPs and staff from clinics with high and low vaccination rates to learn what was helpful and not helpful about the VAI and implementation strategies. CONCLUSION: This is the first multisite randomized controlled trial to test an MI-informed vaccine acceptance intervention to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Information gained can be used to inform healthcare systems' approaches to improve future vaccination and other public health campaigns. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT05027464.

Study protocol for a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial to reduce risky drinking among service members and their partners.

BACKGROUND: Military spouses and partners in relationships with a heavy drinking service member report high levels of mental health concerns and consequences, which are compounded when both partners drink heavily. Military spouses and partners -termed "concerned partners" (CPs)-may be an important gateway for motivating service members (SMs) to seek care. However, CPs may first need to reduce their own drinking and improve their communication to effectively support and encourage changes for their service member partner. Partners Connect is a web-based intervention aimed at improving communication and relationship quality and increasing SM help-seeking. METHODS: The current study design is a two-stage Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop an adaptive CP intervention to decrease CP drinking and increase SM help-seeking. CPs aged 18 and older (n = 408) will be recruited via social media and followed for six months. In stage one, we will randomize CPs to either a 4-session web-based intervention (Partners Connect) or to receive communication resources from the Gottman Institute website. The goal is to have CPs invite their SM to complete an online personalized normative feedback (PNF) session. If their SM completes the PNF at stage one, CPs will be considered "responders," if the SM does not complete, CPs who are "non-responders" will be re-randomized during stage two to receive either (1) a CRAFT workbook or (2) phone-based CRAFT if in Partners Connect; or (1) Partners Connect or (2) a CRAFT workbook if in Gottman. DISCUSSION: By first intervening with the service member's CP, we aim to better equip them to engage their service member partner in treatment services. In doing so, we develop a model that increases treatment accessibility and appeal among a group that may not otherwise seek care. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT05619185.

"It's Stable but Not Stable": A Conceptual Framework of Subjective Housing Stability Definition Among Individuals with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.

Objective: Despite increasing efforts to improve housing stability, research has largely defined housing stability in a narrow sense and heavily relied on objective measures, such as housing types and housing duration. The present study constructed a conceptual framework for a subjective housing stability definition from the perspectives of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and their behavioral health service providers. Methods: Following the principles of grounded theory, we collected and analyzed qualitative data through semistructured interviews with 24 individuals with serious mental illness and substance use problems and three focus groups with 22 behavioral health service providers. Results: We developed a conceptual framework with two domains of subjective housing stability: functional stability and experiential stability. The functional stability domain includes four theoretical concepts: meeting basic needs, housing quality, housing affordability, and housing permanence. The experiential stability domain includes four theoretical concepts: autonomy and independence, connectedness, safety, and supportiveness. Conclusions: The conceptual framework can inform future research, practices, and policies to move beyond focusing on merely providing housing to consider the diverse and underlying needs in improving housing stability and well-being among those experiencing or at risk of housing instability.

N-acetylcysteine for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis: Protocol and rationale for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco and cannabis co-use is a growing public health problem. The synergistic effects of cannabis and nicotine on neurobiological systems that mediate reward and shared environmental cues reinforcing use may make tobacco smoking cessation more difficult. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an FDA-approved medication and over-the-counter supplement, has shown promise in animal studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in reducing tobacco and cannabis craving and use. NAC's potential efficacy in treating addiction may be attributable to its central nervous system effects in reducing excessive glutamatergic activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. To date, no RCT has examined NAC for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. METHOD: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT, we will examine NAC for smoking cessation among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. Sixty adult cigarette-cannabis co-users are randomized to receive NAC 3600 mg per day or placebo over 8 weeks. Participants in both groups receive 8 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions addressing smoking cessation and cannabis reduction. Outcomes are assessed at Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Primary aims are to determine NAC's efficacy in decreasing cigarette craving, nicotine dependence, and use; and cannabis craving and use. Exploratory aims include examination of changes in neurocognition with NAC and their potential mediational effects on cigarette and cannabis use outcomes. CONCLUSION: Results will inform smoking cessation treatment among dual users of tobacco and cannabis. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT04627922.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Motivational Enhancement Interventions to Increase Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use in Sexual Minority Men Who Use Stimulants.

Background: Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could substantially mitigate HIV risk, sexual minority men (SMM) who use stimulants commonly experience difficulties with engaging in PrEP clinical services. Motivational interviewing (MI) and contingency management (CM) reduce substance use and condomless anal sex in this population, but these motivational enhancement interventions require adaptation to promote engagement along the PrEP care continuum. Methods: PRISM is a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of distinct combinations of telehealth MI and CM in 70 cisgender SMM who use stimulants that are not currently taking PrEP. A national sample was recruited via social networking applications to complete a baseline assessment and mail-in HIV testing. Those with non-reactive HIV results are randomized to receive either: 1) a 2-session MI intervention focusing on PrEP use (session 1) and concomitant stimulant use or condomless anal sex (session 2); or 2) a CM intervention with financial incentives for documented evidence of PrEP clinical evaluation by a medical provider ($50) and filling a PrEP prescription ($50). At the 3-month follow-up assessment, participants who report they have not filled a prescription for PrEP are randomized a second time to either: 1) Switch to a second-stage intervention (i.e., MI + CM or CM + MI); or 2) Continue with assessments only. Outcomes for both responders and non-responders are reassessed at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is documented evidence of filling a PrEP prescription. Self-reported, secondary outcomes include PrEP clinical evaluation by a medical provider, stimulant use, and condomless anal sex. Qualitative exit interviews are conducted with a sub-group of responders and non-responders to characterize their experiences with the MI and CM interventions. Discussion: Implementation of this pilot SMART underscores the challenges in reaching SMM who use stimulants to optimize HIV prevention efforts such that approximately one in ten (104/1,060) eligible participants enrolled. However, 85% (70/82) of enrolled participants with non-reactive HIV results were randomized. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of telehealth MI and CM for supporting PrEP use in SMM who use stimulants. Trial Registration: This protocol was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04205487) on December 19, 2019.

Cultural adaptations of motivational interviewing: A systematic review.

Motivational interviewing (MI; Miller & Rollnick, 2012) has expanded from treating substance use disorders to other health concerns across a range of racial-ethnic groups and ages. The spirit of MI lends itself well to working with culturally diverse populations by eliciting the client's values and goals in a collaborative and client-centered approach in pursuit of behavior change. Additionally, MI has been further adapted for use with racial-ethnic minority groups to enhance its effectiveness with specific populations. The aim of this review was to investigate existing cultural adaptations of MI (CAMI), their effectiveness, and to provide directions for future cultural adaptations in both research and clinical settings. This systematic review identified studies of CAMI over the past 20 years using MEDLINE/Pubmed and Embase. The final dataset consisted of 25 peer review studies. In the randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies that utilized a control condition (n = 17), 10 studies showed that the CAMI condition performed significantly better on at least the primary outcome measure than the control condition. All 10 studies adapted Context, Content, and Concepts-three of the dimensions of cultural adaptation defined by the ecological validity framework used in this study (Bernal et al., 1995). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of buprenorphine on opioid craving in comparison to other medications for opioid use disorder: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Craving is a distressing symptom of opioid use disorder (OUD) that can be alleviated with medications for OUD (MOUD). Buprenorphine is an effective MOUD that may suppress craving; however, treatment discontinuation and resumed opioid use is common during the early phases of treatment. More information on the craving response through the high-risk period of initiating buprenorphine may provide meaningful information on how to better target craving, which in turn may enhance outcomes. This systematic review investigated buprenorphine doses and formulations on craving during the induction and maintenance phases of treatment, and for context also compared the craving response to other MOUD (i.e., methadone, extended-release naltrexone [XR-NTX]). METHODS: PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched for randomized trials of buprenorphine versus placebo, various buprenorphine formulations/doses, or other MOUD that included a measure of opioid craving. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were selected for inclusion. Buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NAL) were each associated with lower craving than placebo over time. Craving was greater among those prescribed lower versus higher buprenorphine doses. In comparison to other MOUD, buprenorphine or BUP/NAL was linked to greater craving than methadone in 3 of the 6 studies. BUP/NAL was associated with greater reported craving than XR-NTX. DISCUSSION: Craving is reduced over time with buprenorphine and BUP/NAL, although other MOUD may provide greater reductions in craving. Although there is currently considerable variability in the measurement of craving, it may be a valuable concept to address with individuals receiving MOUD, especially early in treatment.

Design, methods, and recruitment outcomes of the Veterans' Pain Care Organizational Improvement Comparative Effectiveness (VOICE) study.

The Veterans' Pain Care Organizational Improvement Comparative Effectiveness (VOICE) study is a 12-month pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness trial conducted at ten United States Veterans Affairs (VA) health care sites. The overall goal was to test interventions to improve pain while reducing opioid use among VA patients with moderate-severe chronic pain despite treatment with long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). Aims were 1) to compare lower-intensity telecare collaborative pain management (TCM) versus higher-intensity integrated pain team management (IPT), and 2) to test the option of switching to buprenorphine (versus no option) in a high-dose subgroup. Recruitment challenges included secular trends in opioid prescribing and the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited over 3.5 years. Of 6966 potentially eligible patients, 4731 (67.9%) were contacted for telephone eligibility interview; of those contacted, 3398 (71.8%) declined participation, 359 (7.6%) were ineligible, 821 (24.2%) enrolled, and 820 (24.1%) were randomized. The most common reason for declining was satisfaction with pain care (n = 731). The most common reason for ineligibility was not having moderate-severe chronic pain (n = 110). Compared with the potentially eligible population, randomized participants were slightly younger, more often female, had similar prescribed opioids, and had similar or higher rates of pain and mental health diagnoses. The enrolled patient number was lower than the original target, but sufficient to power planned analyses. In conclusion, the VOICE trial enrolled a diverse sample similar to the population of VA patients receiving LTOT. Results will add substantially to limited existing evidence for interventions to improve pain while reducing opioid use. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03026790.

Supporting Vulnerable People During Challenging Transitions: A Systematic Review of Critical Time Intervention.

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is designed to reduce the risk of homelessness and other adverse outcomes by providing support to individuals during challenging life course transitions. While several narrative reviews suggest the benefit of CTI, the evidence on the model's effectiveness has not been systematically reviewed. This article systematically reviews studies of CTI applied to a variety of populations and transition types. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines, we reviewed 13 eligible experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Findings were summarized by individual outcome domains, including housing, service engagement use, hospitalization or emergency services, mental health, substance use, family and social support, and quality of life. CTI had a consistent positive impact on two primary outcomes-reduced homelessness and increased service engagement use-among different populations and contexts. Despite the effectiveness of CTI, the specific mechanisms of the model's positive impacts remain unclear. Implications for practice, policy and research are addressed.

Barriers to Substance Use Treatment for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders.

Background: Although residential substance use treatment has been shown to improve substance use and other outcomes, most with substance use disorders (SUDs) never seek professional treatment. Much research has been done on the barriers to seeking treatment. However, greater understanding is needed of the similarities and differences in the perceptual barriers to treatment held by clients and staff. Methods: This paper (1) identifies and compares adult client vs. staff perceptions of barriers to substance use treatment, and (2) compares perceptions between an urban vs. rural treatment setting. Secondary analysis of transcripts of semi-structured interviews with clients (n = 61) and staff (n = 37) from a residential substance use treatment program in New York (urban) and in Virginia (rural). Transcriptions of interviews were formally analyzed by two analysts using framework analysis. Results: The major results indicate that personal barriers (83%) were cited more frequently than interpersonal (15%) and structural barriers (24%). Staff were more likely to cite interpersonal barriers (19% vs. 11%) and structural barriers (29% vs. 20%) than were clients. Conclusions: These findings further demonstrate that personal culpability and self-blame are often felt by those with SUDs and this sentiment is often reinforced by treatment providers. Interventions are needed that can reduce the stigma of SUD's, resulting in a shift away from the perception that barriers to treatment exist primarily at the personal level. Trial registration: The Office of Research Subjects Protection at Virginia Commonwealth University (approval #HM15020) and the University Committee on Activities Involving Human Subjects at New York University (approval #FY2016-56) approved the study procedures for the Virginia and New York studies, respectively.

Value of family involvement in substance use disorder treatment: Aligning clinical and financing priorities.

BACKGROUND: Family members' support (e.g., informational, tangible, emotional) has important and lasting impacts on individuals' recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Unfortunately, SUD services in the United States do not consistently incorporate patients' family members effectively. One barrier to family involvement in SUD services is the mechanisms through which SUD services in the United States are commonly financed. METHOD: Using our recent experiences with developing a group intervention for support persons of patients with opioid use disorder, we illustrate how gaps in feasible financing models limit SUD service systems from effectively implementing and sustaining family services for individuals receiving SUD treatment. DISCUSSION: Long-term availability of family-inclusive interventions will require collaboration with payors and health systems. We offer two sets of recommendations for funding family involvement in SUD services; one set of immediately implementable recommendations and other longer-term goals requiring structural changes in SUD service delivery and financing.

Adults With Opioid and Methamphetamine Co-use Have Lower Odds of Completing Short-Term Residential Treatment Than Other Opioid Co-use Groups: A Retrospective Health Services Study.

Objective: There is an increase in persons entering substance use treatment who co-use opioids and methamphetamines in recent years. Co-using these substances may negatively impact treatment retention in the residential setting. We explored predictors of adults completing short-term residential treatment among persons with primary opioid use disorder (OUD) who co-use either alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, or methamphetamines. Methods: This study used the 2019 de-identified, publicly available Treatment Episode Dataset-Discharges. The sample included adults discharged from short-term residential treatment with primary OUD who co-used either alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, or methamphetamines. The final sample size included 24,120 treatment episodes. Univariate statistics were used to describe the sample. Two logistic regression models were used to predict completing treatment. The first logistic regression model included the co-use groups as predictors and the second model added other demographic and treatment-relevant covariates. Results: A slight majority (51.4%) of the sample prematurely discharged from treatment. Compared to the other three co-use groups, the opioid and methamphetamine co-use group had the highest proportion of individuals who were women (45.0%), unemployed (62.5%), current injection drug use (76.0%), living in the Midwest (35.9%), living in the south (33.5%), and living in the west (15.5%). The opioid and methamphetamine co-use group also had the highest proportion of individuals not receiving medications for OUD (84.9%), not having a prior treatment episode (28.7%), and not completing treatment (57.4%). In the final logistic regression model, which included covariates, the opioid and alcohol (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.080-1.287, p < 0.001), opioid and benzodiazepine (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.213-1.455, p < 0.001), and opioid and cocaine (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.075-1.240, p < 0.001) co-use groups had higher odds of completing treatment than the opioid and methamphetamine co-use group. Conclusions: Opioid and methamphetamine co-use may complicate short-term residential treatment retention. Future work should identify effective strategies to retain persons who co-use opioids and methamphetamines in treatment.

Telephone veteran peer coaching for mental health treatment engagement among rural veterans: The importance of secondary outcomes and qualitative data in a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of telephone motivational coaching delivered by veteran peers to improve mental health (MH) treatment engagement among veterans. METHODS: Veterans receiving primary care from primarily rural VA community-based outpatient clinics were enrolled. Veterans not engaged in MH treatment screening positive for ≥1 MH problem(s) were randomized to receive veteran peer-delivered feedback on MH screen results and referrals plus 4 sessions of telephone motivational coaching (intervention) versus veteran peer-delivered MH results and referrals without motivational coaching (control). Blinded telephone assessments were conducted at baseline, 8, 16, and 32 weeks. Cox proportional hazard models compared MH clinician-directed treatment initiation between groups; descriptive analyses compared MH treatment retention, changes in MH symptoms, quality of life, and self-care. FINDINGS: Among 272 veterans screening positive for ≥1 MH problem(s), 45% who received veteran peer telephone motivational coaching versus 46% of control participants initiated MH treatment (primary outcome) (hazard ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.76-1.57), representing no between-group differences. In contrast, veterans receiving veteran peer motivational coaching achieved significantly greater improvements in depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and cannabis use scores, quality of life domains, and adoption of some self-care strategies than controls (secondary outcomes). Qualitative data revealed that veterans who received veteran peer motivational coaching may no longer have perceived a need for MH treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Among veterans with MH problems using predominantly rural VA community clinics, telephone peer motivational coaching did not enhance MH treatment engagement, but instead had positive effects on MH symptoms, quality of life indicators, and use of self-care strategies.

A pilot trial of collaborative care with motivational interviewing to reduce opioid risk and improve chronic pain management.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Opioid use and chronic pain are prevalent in the veteran population. Collaborative care enhances coordination between patients and their care teams, and motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication style designed to facilitate behavior change. This study evaluated the use of collaborative care with MI (CCMI) with patients with chronic pain and high-risk prescription opioid use. DESIGN: Small pilot study of a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An urban Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred adult veterans with chronic pain currently enrolled into primary care and receiving long-term opioid therapy. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: During an initial 1-hour visit with a study primary-care physician (PCP), all veterans (n = 100) developed a personalized pain care plan, after which they were randomized to receive four sessions (at 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks) of either CCMI (n = 51) or attention control psychoeducation (ACP; n = 49). Subsequently, participants had 30-minute follow-up visits with study PCPs and post-treatment assessment at 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Co-primary outcomes measures assessed opioid risk and pain interference; secondary measures assessed pain severity, PCP rating of opioid risk and pain management goals. FINDINGS: At 12 weeks, intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses using multivariate mixed-effects linear regression were inconclusive regarding the between-group differences in primary and secondary outcomes at post-intervention (12 weeks). Bayes factors for opioid risk, pain interference, pain severity and PCP ratings were 1.96, 1.36, 0.45 and 0.82, respectively. Veterans in the CCMI group reported implementing more complementary integrative health (CIH) goals (e.g. yoga) than did those in the ACP group (d = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: US veterans with chronic pain who received collaborative care with motivational interviewing reduced their high-risk opioid use and showed improved pain interference and severity after an intake with a primary-care provider involving shared decision-making and the creation of a personalized pain care plan.