Community-Based Cluster-Randomized Trial to Reduce Opioid Overdose Deaths.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practices for reducing opioid-related overdose deaths include overdose education and naloxone distribution, the use of medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, and prescription opioid safety. Data are needed on the effectiveness of a community-engaged intervention to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths through enhanced uptake of these practices. METHODS: In this community-level, cluster-randomized trial, we randomly assigned 67 communities in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio to receive the intervention (34 communities) or a wait-list control (33 communities), stratified according to state. The trial was conducted within the context of both the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and a national surge in the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths. The trial groups were balanced within states according to urban or rural classification, previous overdose rate, and community population. The primary outcome was the number of opioid-related overdose deaths among community adults. RESULTS: During the comparison period from July 2021 through June 2022, the population-averaged rates of opioid-related overdose deaths were similar in the intervention group and the control group (47.2 deaths per 100,000 population vs. 51.7 per 100,000 population), for an adjusted rate ratio of 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.76 to 1.09; P = 0.30). The effect of the intervention on the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths did not differ appreciably according to state, urban or rural category, age, sex, or race or ethnic group. Intervention communities implemented 615 evidence-based practice strategies from the 806 strategies selected by communities (254 involving overdose education and naloxone distribution, 256 involving the use of medications for opioid use disorder, and 105 involving prescription opioid safety). Of these evidence-based practice strategies, only 235 (38%) had been initiated by the start of the comparison year. CONCLUSIONS: In this 12-month multimodal intervention trial involving community coalitions in the deployment of evidence-based practices to reduce opioid overdose deaths, death rates were similar in the intervention group and the control group in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fentanyl-related overdose epidemic. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; HCS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04111939.).

Characterizing Multisystem Barriers to Women's Residential SUD Treatment: A Multisite Qualitative Analysis in Los Angeles.

Residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs are challenged by the differing values of the problem-solving court (PSC) and child welfare (CW) systems, along with communication barriers between staff. This study aimed to understand, from the viewpoints of SUD treatment providers, how divergent values and communication barriers adversely affect women's residential SUD treatment. We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with 18 SUD treatment clinicians and six directors from four women's residential SUD treatment programs. Using a thematic analysis framework, we identified salient themes across specified codes. Analysis revealed six main themes, suggesting differing values and communication barriers across the SUD, PSC, and CW systems adversely affect the provision of SUD treatment. For differing values, three main themes emerged: (a) unaddressed trauma and fear of mental health treatment seeking; (b) perceptions of mothers with a SUD; and (c) the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) timeline as a barrier to SUD treatment provision. For communication barriers, three themes emerged: (a) inadequate communication and responsiveness with PSC and CW systems adversely affect treatment coordination, induce patient stress, and treatment disengagement; (b) lack of PSC and CW communication regarding child visitation planning adversely affects treatment motivation and retention; and (c) competing ASFA, PSC, and CW priorities and inadequate cross-system communication adversely affect treatment planning. Treatment providers face significant barriers in providing effective treatment to women simultaneously involved in the CW and PSC systems. Aligning values and addressing communication barriers, changes in policy, and enhanced cross-system training are crucial. Additionally, it is essential to reevaluate the ASFA timeline to align with the long-term treatment needs of mothers with a SUD. Further research should explore the viewpoints of patients, CW, and PSC staff to gain deeper insights into these SUD treatment barriers.

Clinical and psychosocial outcomes by sex among individuals prescribed buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) or extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) for opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Limited research has explored sex differences in opioid use disorder medication (MOUD) treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine MOUD initiation onto buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) versus extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) by sex, and sex differences in clinical and psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: Using data from a 24-week open-label comparative effectiveness trial of BUP-NX or XR-NTX, this study examined MOUD initiation (i.e., receiving a minimum one XR-NTX injection or first BUP-NX dose) and 24-week self-report outcomes. We used regression models to estimate the probability of MOUD initiation failure among the intent-to-treat sample (N = 570), and the main and interaction effects of sex on outcomes of interest among the subsample of participants who successfully initiated MOUD (n = 474). RESULTS: In the intent-to-treat sample, the odds of treatment initiation failure were not significantly different by sex. In the subsample of successful MOUD initiates, the effect of treatment on employment at week 24 was significantly moderated by sex (p = .003); odds of employment were not significantly different among males by MOUD type; females randomized to XR-NTX versus BUP-NX had 4.63 times greater odds of employment (p < .001). Males had significantly lower odds of past 30-day exchanging sex for drugs versus females (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.10, p = .004), controlling for treatment and baseline outcomes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Further research should explore how to integrate employment support into OUD treatment to improve patient outcomes, particularly among women. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The current study addressed gaps in the literature by examining sex differences in MOUD initiation and diverse treatment outcomes in a large, national sample.

Centering culture in the treatment of opioid use disorder with American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: Contributions from a National Collaborative Board.

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are disproportionally impacted by the opioid overdose epidemic. There remains a dearth of research evaluating methods for effectively implementing treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) within these communities. We describe proceedings from a 2-day Collaborative Board (CB) meeting tasked with developing an implementation intervention for AI/AN clinical programs to improve the delivery of medications to treat OUD (MOUD). The CB was comprised of Elders, cultural leaders, providers, individuals with lived experience with OUD, and researchers from over 25 communities, organizations, and academic institutions. Conversations were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded by two academic researchers with interpretation oversight provided by the CB. These proceedings provided a foundation for ongoing CB work and a frame for developing the program-level implementation intervention using a strength-based and holistic model of OUD recovery and wellbeing. Topics of discussion posed to the CB included engagement and recovery strategies, integration of extended family traditions, and addressing stigma and building trust with providers and clients. Integration of traditional healing practices, ceremonies, and other cultural practices was recommended. The importance of centering AI/AN culture and involving family were highlighted as priorities for the intervention.

Global sensitivity analysis of randomized trials with nonmonotone missing binary outcomes: Application to studies of substance use disorders.

In this paper, we present a method for conducting global sensitivity analysis of randomized trials in which binary outcomes are scheduled to be collected on participants at prespecified points in time after randomization and these outcomes may be missing in a nonmonotone fashion. We introduce a class of missing data assumptions, indexed by sensitivity parameters, which are anchored around the missing not at random assumption introduced by Robins (Statistics in Medicine, 1997). For each assumption in the class, we establish that the joint distribution of the outcomes is identifiable from the distribution of the observed data. Our estimation procedure uses the plug-in principle, where the distribution of the observed data is estimated using random forests. We establish n$\sqrt {n}$ asymptotic properties for our estimation procedure. We illustrate our methodology in the context of a randomized trial designed to evaluate a new approach to reducing substance use, assessed by testing urine samples twice weekly, among patients entering outpatient addiction treatment. We evaluate the finite sample properties of our method in a realistic simulation study. Our methods have been implemented in an R package entitled slabm.

Durable Viral Suppression Among People with HIV and Problem Substance Use in the Era of Universal Antiretroviral Treatment.

This study explored factors associated with durable viral suppression (DVS) among two groups of people living with HIV (PLWH) and problem substance use in the context of universal antiretroviral treatment initiation. Participants (N = 99) were recruited between 2014-2017 from public sexual health clinics [SHC] and a hospital detoxification unit [detox]). DVS (NYC HIV surveillance registry) was defined as two consecutive viral load tests ≤ 200 copies/mL, ≤ 90 days apart, with all other viral loads suppressed over 12 or 18 months. Detox participants were significantly older, with more unstable housing/employment, substance use severity, and longer-term HIV vs. SHC participants. Older age, opioid and stimulant use disorder were significantly associated with lower odds of DVS, while fulltime employment and stable housing were significantly associated with higher odds of DVS at 12-month follow-up. Patterns held at 18-month follow-up. Co-located substance use and HIV services, funding for supportive housing, and collaborative patient-provider relationships could improve DVS among populations with the syndemic of problem substance use, poverty, and long-term HIV.

Patient Characteristics Associated with Opioid Abstinence after Participation in a Trial of Buprenorphine versus Injectable Naltrexone.

Background and Objectives: Better understanding of predictors of opioid abstinence among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) may help to inform interventions and personalize treatment plans. This analysis examined patient characteristics associated with opioid abstinence in the X:BOT (Extended-Release Naltrexone versus Buprenorphine for Opioid Treatment) trial. Methods: This post-hoc analysis examined factors associated with past-month opioid abstinence at the 36-week follow-up visit among participants in the X:BOT study. 428 participants (75% of original sample) attended the visit at 36 weeks. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the probability of opioid abstinence across various baseline sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment variables. Results: Of the 428 participants, 143 (33%) reported abstinence from non-prescribed opioids at the 36-week follow-up. Participants were more likely to be opioid abstinent if randomized to XR-NTX (compared to BUP-NX), were on XR-NTX at week 36 (compared to those off OUD pharmacotherapy), successfully inducted onto either study medication, had longer time on study medication, reported a greater number of abstinent weeks, or had longer time to relapse during the 24-week treatment trial. Participants were less likely to be abstinent if Hispanic, had a severe baseline Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM-D) score, or had baseline sedative use. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of participants was available at follow-up (75%), was on OUD pharmacotherapy (53%), and reported past-month opioid abstinence (33%) at 36 weeks. A minority of patients off medication for OUD reported abstinence and additional research is needed exploring patient characteristics that may be associated with successful treatment outcomes.

Safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic for substance use disorder: Secondary analysis of data from a NIDA clinical trials network study.

Background: Traditional treatments for substance use disorders (SUDs) rely heavily on face-to-face interactions, which pose substantial limitations for patients. A clinical trial of a digital therapeutic (DT), delivering behavioral therapy demonstrated safety and efficacy in a population including patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) not treated with buprenorphine, which is not a guideline-recommended approach. This study re-analyzed the data excluding patients with OUD to more closely approximate real-world patient populations. Methods: Secondary analysis of patients with substance use disorders related to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or other stimulants (n = 399, patients with OUD excluded) from a previously-published randomized controlled trial. Patients received 12-weeks of outpatient treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 193) or TAU with reduced counseling plus a DT (n = 206) providing computerized cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management. Primary outcomes were abstinence in weeks 9-12 and retention in treatment. Results: The 399 patients in this analysis (206 in the DT group and 193 in the TAU group) reported substance use disorders related to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or other stimulants (e.g., methamphetamines). Demographic and baseline characteristics including age, sex, race, education, and reported primary substance use disorder were balanced between treatment groups. Abstinence was significantly higher in the DT group compared to TAU (40.3 vs. 17.6%; p < 0.001) as was retention in therapy (76.2 vs. 63.2%, p = 0.004). Intergroup adverse event rates were not significantly different (p = 0.68). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that use of a DT safely increased abstinence (reduced substance use) and retention in treatment among patients with substance use disorders related to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or other stimulants (including methamphetamines).

Emotional reactions of trained overdose responders who use opioids following intervention in an overdose event.

Background: Our aim was to explore emotional reactions to intervening in an overdose event from the perspective of individuals who use opioids (peer responders). In addition, we were interested in the impact this experience may have on peer responders' feelings about helping in an overdose situation in the future. Methods: For this qualitative sub-study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), data from 61 interviews were analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. Results: Peer responders had diverse emotional reactions to the overdose event. These ranged from a sense of pride and other positive feelings associated with their ability to help to ambivalence about being involved in situations perceived as challenging and burdensome. There were few reports of the overdose event as an exclusively negative experience. Many peer responders perceived it as their duty to use naloxone again if required. However, some had ambivalent feelings toward this responsibility, which may be related to negative experiences with previous intervention efforts. Conclusions: The capacity of people who use opioids to help reduce the harms associated with opioid overdose is experienced as empowering by some. Nonetheless, engaging peer responders in strategies to reduce opioid-related mortality should be coupled with appropriate resources to process their experiences and emotional responses.

UNDERSTANDING PREFERENCES FOR TYPE OF TAKE-HOME NALOXONE DEVICE: INTERNATIONAL QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE WHO USE OPIOIDS.

Background: Take-home naloxone (THN) is provided to non-medically trained people to reverse potential opioid overdoses. There is an increasing range of effective intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) naloxone devices and this paper explores the types preferred by people who use opioids, using consumer behaviour literature to interpret the findings. Methods: Data derive from two unconnected qualitative studies involving audio-recorded semi-structured interviews. Study 1 was conducted in the United States (n=21 users of non-medical/illicit opioids). Study 2 was conducted in Australia (n=42 users of non-medical/illicit or prescribed opioids). Findings: Most participants preferred IN naloxone. Preferences were based on the ease, speed, safety and comfort of each device and underpinned by accounts of overdose revivals as being very rushed and frightening situations. Preferences related to complex interactions between the naloxone device ('product'); the knowledge, skills, experience and attitudes of the lay responder ('consumer'), and when, where and how naloxone was to be used ('usage situation'). Conclusions: THN programs should offer choice of device when possible and nasal naloxone if resources permit. Asking people which devices they prefer and why and treating them as valued consumers of naloxone products can generate insights that improve future naloxone technology and increase THN uptake and usage.

Is extended release naltrexone superior to buprenorphine-naloxone to reduce drinking among outpatients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder? A secondary analysis of the CTN X:BOT trial.

BACKGROUND: The comparative effectiveness of extended-release naltrexone versus buprenorphine-naloxone for opioid relapse prevention (X:BOT) trial showed that following induction, treatment with the sublingual agonist (buprenorphine-naloxone, BUP-NX) or injected antagonist (extended release naltrexone, XR-NTX) produced similar reductions in opioid relapse in injection users with opioid use disorder (OUD). Because XR-NTX reduces drinking in alcohol use disorder (AUD), we conducted a secondary analysis of the X:BOT sample of patients successfully inducted onto treatment to determine whether XR-NTX (n = 204) was superior to BUP-NX (n = 270) in reducing drinking or heavy drinking in patients with OUD. METHODS: Standard drink units consumed were measured using the Timeline Follow-back method. Mixed-models regression was used to examine the monthly frequency of any drinking and heavy drinking over 6 months of treatment. We used a proportional hazard survival analysis to examine the time to first drink. RESULTS: Both treatment groups reduced drinking from baseline to posttreatment (small to medium effect), but no differences between groups were detected. However, only 29% (n = 136) of the sample had AUD and 19% (n = 26/136) of those were abstinent before treatment. Analysis of a subsample enriched for possible drinking included 136 individuals with an AUD diagnosis plus 43 who did not have AUD, but reported at least one day of heavy drinking prior to the study. However, this subsample reported only 32% of days of any drinking with a median of only 13% of days designated as "heavy." Within this subsample, at baseline, the BUP-NX group reported more mean drinks per drinking day than the XR-NTX group (p = 0.03); however, there were no other significant group differences on drinking observed before, during, or at the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There was an overall reduction in drinking during treatment of OUD using both agonist and antagonist medications, so that the hypothesis that XR-NTX would be superior to BUP-NX was not supported. The study is limited by low levels of comorbid AUD or heavy drinking observed in X:BOT trial participants seeking treatment for OUD.

The Increasing Prevalence of Fentanyl: A Urinalysis-Based Study Among Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder in New York City.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Opioid-related overdose deaths in North America have increased drastically, partially due to the increased prevalence of illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The current study sought to assess the prevalence and intentionality of fentanyl use among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: For this secondary analysis (study 1) we screened a total of 1118 urine samples from 316 participants with OUD from 2016 to 2019. Fentanyl knowledge and intentionality of use were assessed in a separate OUD sample (study 2; N = 33). RESULTS: In study 1, 34.6% of all urine samples tested positive for fentanyl. Overall, 149 (47.2%) participants provided more than or equal to one urine sample that tested fentanyl-positive, and 93 (29.4%) provided more than or equal to two fentanyl-positive samples. The number of fentanyl-positive samples, relative to the number of samples tested each year, increased by 330% from year 1 to 3. Study 2 found all participants had pre-existing knowledge that drugs may be adulterated with fentanyl, yet 67% were surprised by their own fentanyl-positive test result. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Like previous studies, our data indicate the high prevalence of fentanyl exposure and low perception of fentanyl-related risk among individuals with OUD, respectively, suggesting that opioid overdose harm reduction efforts may need to focus more on drug users' understanding of risks related to fentanyl use and adulteration of drugs. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The current studies provide longitudinal data on fentanyl exposure prevalence and risk perception that is uniquely granular by assessing OUD treatment status, and by identifying potential associations between fentanyl exposure with the presence of other drug use and nonfatal overdose. (Am J Addict 2021;30:65-71).

Examination of Correlates of OUD Outcomes in Young Adults: Secondary Analysis From the XBOT Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment outcomes are poorer for young adults than older adults. Developmental differences are broadly implicated, but particular vulnerability factor interactions are poorly understood. This study sought to identify moderators of OUD relapse between age groups. METHODS: This secondary analysis compared young adults (18-25) to older adults (26+) from a comparative effectiveness trial ("XBOT") that randomized (N = 570) participants to extended-release naltrexone or sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone. We explored the relationship between 25 prespecified patient baseline characteristics and relapse to regular opioid use by age group and treatment condition, using logistic regression. RESULTS: Young adults (n = 111) had higher rates of 24-week relapse than older adults (n = 459) (70.3% vs 58.8%) and differed on a number of specific characteristics, including more smokers, more intravenous opioid use, and more cannabis use. No significant moderators predicted relapse, in either three-way or two-way interactions. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: No baseline factors were identified as moderating the relationship between age group and opioid relapse, nor any interactions between baseline characteristics, age group, and treatment condition to predict opioid relapse. Poorer treatment outcomes for young adults are likely associated with multiple developmental vulnerabilities rather than any single predominant factor. Although not reaching significance, several characteristics (using heroin, smoking tobacco, high levels of depression/anxiety, or treatment because of family/friends) showed higher odds ratio point estimates for relapse in young adults than older adults. This is the first study to explore moderators of worse OUD treatment outcomes in young adults, highlighting the need to identify predictor variables that could inform treatment enhancements. (Am J Addict 2021;00:1-12).

Psychological Symptoms and Outcomes in Adults Receiving Community-based Treatment for Substance Use Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Mental health issues in individuals with substance use disorders are common and can affect treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Secondary analysis of a multi-center trial of an internet-delivered psychosocial SUD treatment intervention (Therapeutic Education System; TES) to: 1) describe psychological symptoms over time, 2) explore whether treatment assignment was associated with psychological symptoms 3) explore whether psychological symptoms at baseline moderated the effect of TES on abstinence or retention at the end of treatment. METHODS: Psychological symptoms were measured using the Global Severity Index (GSI) from the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), PHQ-9, and MINI SPIN (social anxiety). Zero-inflated-negative-binomial models given high numbers of "0" GSI scores and multivariate logistic regression models were run to estimate the effect of the interaction between treatment and baseline psychological symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age was 35, 37.9% were female, 56.0% were white. Fifty-four percent had a negative urine drug or breath alcohol screen at baseline. Mean GSI score at baseline was 13.5 (SD = 12.6). GSI scores significantly improved (p<.0001) over time. Treatment was not significantly associated with GSI scores (aIRR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.85-1.11). Those with social anxiety at baseline had a higher likelihood of achieving abstinence when receiving TES compared to TAU (b = 1.2071, SE = 0.6109, p = 0.0482). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological symptoms may improve over time in individuals seeking treatment for SUD, and for those with social anxiety, technology-based treatments may result in a better response. Examining the effect of SUD treatment on broader psychological outcomes in addition to abstinence may help clinicians provide more individualized care for those with co-occurring conditions.

Intervention in an opioid overdose event increases interest in treatment among individuals with opioid use disorder.

Background: This study sought to explore whether intervening in suspected cases of opioid overdose alters interest in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Data were collected as a part of a trial comparing the effects of different overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) training curricula on overdose outcomes. Methods: Following OEND training, participants completed four in-person follow-up visits at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months. Participants were also regularly contacted to inquire about overdose events they responded to, witnessed, or experienced themselves. Other assessments included the Addiction Severity Index that queries participants' perceived importance of drug treatment on a scale of: 0 (Not at All) to 4 (Extremely). For the current secondary data analysis, treatment importance was assessed at the time points most immediately preceding and following participant intervention in an overdose event using naloxone. Results: The sample reported a mean duration of opioid use of 14.9 (± 11.5) years, with 67% having witnessed an overdose event prior to the study. Of the 321 enrolled, 92 participants used naloxone in response to 166 suspected cases of an opioid overdose. For the entire sample, mean treatment importance did not significantly change throughout the study. Among participants who utilized naloxone, treatment importance increased following the event (Before: 3.03, After: 3.39, p = 0.02). Due to the amount of time between the overdose event and assessment of post-event treatment importance (40.5 days, ±40.2), the current study most likely underestimates this effect. Conclusions: The current study suggests that responding to an overdose event increases interest in OUD treatment. Currently only considered an acute intervention to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, OEND may have the potential to increase enrollment in medications to treat OUD. However, a prospective investigation needs to determine if the impact of an overdose event could be utilized to increase treatment engagement.

HIV Treatment Knowledge in the Context of "Treatment as Prevention" (TasP).

According to 2012 universal ART guidelines, as part of "treatment as prevention" (TasP), all people living with HIV (PLWH) should immediately initiate antiretroviral therapy post-diagnosis to facilitate viral suppression. PLWH who are virally suppressed have no risk of sexually transmitting HIV. This study used descriptive analysis of quantitative data (N = 99) and thematic analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 36) to compare participants recruited from a hospital-based detoxification (detox) unit, largely diagnosed with HIV pre-2012 (n = 63) vs. those recruited from public, urban sexual health clinics (SHCs), mainly diagnosed in 2012 or later (n = 36). Detox participants were significantly more knowledgeable than SHC participants about HIV treatment, except regarding TasP. SHC participants' desire for rapid linkage to care and ART initiation was in line with 2012 universal ART guidelines and TasP messaging regarding viral suppression. More targeted messaging to PLWH pre-2012 could ensure that all PLWH benefit from scientific advances in HIV treatment.

DSM-5 substance use disorder symptom clusters and HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence.

This study examines self-reported 30-day antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among 101 people living with HIV and substance use disorders (SUD) in New York City in terms of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5th Edition (DSM-5) SUD symptom clusters: impaired control, social impairment, risky use and pharmacological criteria. Overall, 60.4% met DSM-5 criteria for stimulant, 55.5% for alcohol, 34.7% for cannabis and 25.7% for opioid SUD. Of the 76 participants with a current ART prescription, 75.3% reported at least 90% 30-day adherence. Participants with vs. without alcohol SUD were significantly less likely to report ART adherence (64.3% vs. 88.2%, p = .017). Endorsement of social impairment significantly differed among adherent vs. non-adherent participants with alcohol SUDs (74.1% vs. 100%, p = .038) and with opioid SUDs (94.1% vs. 50.0%, p = .040). Understanding specific SUD symptom clusters may assist providers and patients in developing strategies to improve ART adherence.

Substance Use and Mental Health in Emerging Adult Vs Older Adult Men and Women With Opioid Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined age differences across genders in clinical characteristics in emerging adult (≤25 years) vs older adult patients (26+ years) with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: Participants (N = 570; 30% female) entering a comparative effectiveness medication trial of buprenorphine vs extended-release naltrexone. RESULTS: Differences in clinical characteristics in emerging adult vs older participants were similar across genders. However, women 26+ years reported more mental health problems compared with women ≤25, while men ≤25 years reported more mental health problems compared with men 26+ years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Different strategies for emerging adult and older patients seeking OUD treatment may be necessary to address psychiatric comorbidities that differ across genders in this population. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Comprehensive psychiatric assessment should be systematically included in OUD treatment for all genders. Treatment should focus on the emerging adult developmental phase when appropriate, with psychiatric treatment tailored for women and men, separately, across the lifespan. (Am J Addict 2020;29:536-542).

Exploring gender differences among treatment-seekers who use opioids versus alcohol and other drugs.

Identifying clinical differences between opioid users (OU) and alcohol and other drug users (AOD) may help to tailor treatment to OU, particularly among the majority of OU who are not on opioid agonist treatments. Given the dearth of research on these differences, this study explored gender differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between OU and AOD. Participants (N = 506) were from a multisite, randomized controlled clinical trial of an Internet-delivered psychosocial intervention conducted in 2010-2011. Logistic regression models explored differences in demographic and clinical characteristics by substance use category within and between women and men. Women OU were more likely to be younger, White, employed, benzodiazepine users, and less likely to have children or use cocaine and cannabis than women AOD. Men OU, compared to men AOD, were more likely to be younger, White, younger at first abuse/dependence, benzodiazepine users, and reported greater psychological distress, but were less likely to be involved in criminal justice or use stimulants. Interactions by gender and substance use were also detected for age of first abuse/dependence, employment, and criminal justice involvement. These findings provide a nuanced understanding of gender differences within substance use groups to inform providers for OU seeking treatment.

Place-based predictors of HIV viral suppression and durable suppression among heterosexuals in New York city.

Scant research has explored place-based correlates of achieving and maintaining HIV viral load suppression among heterosexuals living with HIV. We conducted multilevel analyses to examine associations between United Hospital Fund (UHF)-level characteristics and individual-level viral suppression and durable viral suppression among individuals with newly diagnosed HIV in New York City (NYC) who have heterosexual HIV transmission risk. Individual-level independent and dependent variables came from NYC's HIV surveillance registry for individuals diagnosed with HIV in 2009-2013 (N = 3,159; 57% virally suppressed; 36% durably virally suppressed). UHF-level covariates included measures of food distress, demographic composition, neighborhood disadvantage and affluence, healthcare access, alcohol outlet density, residential vacancy, and police stop and frisk rates. We found that living in neighborhoods where a larger percent of residents were food distressed was associated with not maintaining viral suppression. If future research should confirm this is a causal association, community-level interventions targeting food distress may improve the health of people living with HIV and reduce the risk of forward transmission.