Linkage facilitation services for opioid use disorder: Taxonomy of facilitation practitioners, goals, and activities.

INTRODUCTION: This article proposes a taxonomy of linkage facilitation services used to help persons with opioid use disorder access treatment and recovery resources. Linkage facilitation may be especially valuable for persons receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) given the considerable barriers to treatment access and initiation that have been identified. The science of linkage facilitation currently lacks both consistent communication about linkage facilitation practices and a conceptual framework for guiding research. METHODS: To address this gap, this article presents a taxonomy derived from expert consensus that organizes the array of practitioners, goals, and activities associated with linkage services for OUD and related needs. Expert panelists first independently reviewed research reports and policy guidelines summarizing the science and practice of linkage facilitation for substance use disorders generally and OUD specifically, then met several times to vet the conceptual scheme and content of the taxonomy until they reached a final consensus. RESULTS: The derived taxonomy contains eight domains: facilitator identity, facilitator lived experience, linkage client, facilitator-client relationship, linkage activity, linkage method, linkage connectivity, and linkage goal. For each domain, the article defines basic domain categories, highlights research and practice themes in substance use and OUD care, and introduces innovations in linkage facilitation being tested in one of two NIDA-funded research networks: Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) or Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS). CONCLUSIONS: To accelerate consistent application of this taxonomy to diverse research and practice settings, the article concludes by naming several considerations for linkage facilitation workforce training and implementation.

Implementation Strategy Fidelity and Organizational Outcomes in a Randomized Trial: Implications for Reentry from Corrections to Community Treatment.

Background: This study examined fidelity of implementation strategies used in an organizational process improvement intervention (OPII) designed to improve evidence-based practices related to assessments for drug-involved clients exiting incarceration. Leadership was studied as a moderating factor between fidelity and outcomes. Methods: A mixed-method cluster randomized design was used to randomize 21 sites to early- or delayed-start within 9 research centers. Parent study protocol was reviewed to develop fidelity constructs (i.e., responsiveness, dose, quality, adherence). Outcomes were site-level success in achieving goals and objectives completed during the OPII (e.g., percent goals achieved). Correlations, analyses of covariance, regressions and moderation analyses were performed. Qualitative interviews assessed facilitators/barriers to implementation. Results: Fidelity constructs related to outcomes. No differences were found in fidelity by early or delayed condition. At low levels of leadership, high staff responsiveness (i.e., engagement in the OPII) related to poorer outcome. Conclusions: It is important to consider contextual factors (e.g., leadership) that may influence implementation strategy fidelity when deploying evidence-based practices. Findings are relevant to researchers, clinicians, administrators and policy makers, and suggest that goal completion during implementation of evidence-based practices requires monitoring of leadership competence, fidelity to implementation strategies (i.e., staff responsiveness to strategies) and attendance to goal importance.

Motivational interviewing for family planning and reducing risky sexual behavior among incarcerated men nearing release: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Incarcerated men are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended partner pregnancy postrelease. Limited research has been invested in developing and testing treatments targeting risky sexual behavior and unwanted pregnancy for this at-risk population. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a promising behavioral intervention for decreasing risky sexual behaviors. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of MI for family planning and risky sexual behaviors with incarcerated men nearing release. Preliminary efficacy of the MI intervention was also compared to an educational control group. Thirty-two men were assessed at baseline and randomized to one 90-min session. Assessment occurred 2 months after release. MI was feasibly administered, and participants were highly satisfied with both treatments. In addition, those who received MI reported higher rates of condom use with casual partners, higher rates of partner use of hormonal contraceptives, and slightly higher rates of sex that was protected against pregnancy. Increases are readiness to discuss family planning with sexual partners, as well as reported frequency of these discussions, and increases in family planning knowledge were also found in those randomized to MI. The findings from this study indicate the need to further assess MI with this population with a full-scale clinical trial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Impacts of COVID-19 on alcohol use among help-seeking adults.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with both increased and decreased alcohol use. Authors explored reasons for increased and decreased alcohol use since the COVID-19 lockdown (March 2020) in a sample of help-seeking adults (HSA) participating in a remote-based alcohol reduction text-messaging intervention in the USA. At the time of recruitment, the HSA in this study were interested in reducing rather than stopping their alcohol consumption. An optional self-report questionnaire was completed by 324 participants (mean age 41.6 ± 10.2 years; 71.5% female; 83.9% White) in February 2021. Survey questions assessed sociodemographic factors, social stressors (quarantine conditions, employment status, changes to daily routine), and drinking patterns. Authors fit two ordinal logistic regression models: one for increased drinking and one for decreased drinking, as functions of the potential predictors and control variables. Most participants (n = 281; 87.0%) reported drinking more than usual since COVID-19 lockdown began. The most common self-reported reasons for drinking more were increased stress/anxiety (74.7%), boredom (69.4%), and spending more time at home (65.5%) whereas reasons for drinking less were less socializing (33.7%) and worrying about how alcohol would impact the immune system (31.5%). Identifying as female, severity of changes to daily routine, and increased access to alcohol were significantly associated with drinking more than usual. These data suggest that the general consequences of the pandemic in the general population (e.g., boredom) led to greater alcohol use among help-seeking adults attempting to reduce their drinking. Identifying these factors may help create more targeted interventions during public health crises.

Circumstances Around Cigarette Use after Enforced Abstinence From Smoking in an American Prison.

OBJECTIVES: Most adults return to smoking after enforced tobacco abstinence when incarcerated in US prisons. Little is known about the specific relapse triggers on reentry. This study examines situational, affective, and motivational antecedents of return to smoking immediately after release from a tobacco-free prison. METHODS: Assessments were administered before release and 1 and 7 days after release to 190 incarcerated adults who were smokers before incarceration. Those reporting smoking within 7 days after release were asked about circumstances surrounding their first cigarette. RESULTS: Two-thirds reported smoking in the 7 days after release (76% of those in the first day) with the first cigarette smoked 21 hours after release on average. Smoking occurred more quickly for women than men and for those who planned to smoke after release ( P values from 0.05 to 0.001). Forty-one percent of participants smoked while waiting for a ride or on the way home, 68% were given their first cigarette, 28% reported first smoking when reuniting with others, 42% first smoked with smokers, and 26% first smoked as celebration. The moods most reported before smoking were happy (60%) or excited (41.5%). Factors reported that could have prevented smoking were avoiding other smokers (27%), avoiding stress (16%), not drinking/using drugs (12%), and not having access to cigarettes (11%). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of return to smoking occurred rapidly when around other smokers, using other substances, and in a positive mood. Interventions that focus specifically on these factors and can be immediately accessed upon release are required to help sustain people's desired abstinence.

Treatment outcomes associated with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among criminal justice-referred admissions to residential treatment in the U.S., 2015-2018.

AIMS: To examine the use and association of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with treatment completion and retention for criminal justice referred (CJR) admissions to residential treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Treatment Episode Dataset-Discharge (TEDS-D; 2015-2018) for adults (N = 205,348) admitted to short-term (ST) (< 30 days) or long-term (LT) (>30 days) residential treatment for OUD. Outcomes were MOUD in treatment plans, and treatment completion and retention (ST >10 days; LT > 90 days). Logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for ST and LT settings. RESULTS: CJR admissions were less likely to have MOUD than non-CJR admissions (ST, 11% vs. 21%; LT, 10% vs. 24%, respectively) and were more likely to complete and be retained in treatment. In ST settings, MOUD was associated with higher likelihood of treatment completion and retention. In LT settings, MOUD was associated with higher likelihood of treatment retention and lower likelihood of treatment completion. These associations tended to be slightly weaker for CJR admissions, with the exception of treatment completion in LT settings, but the moderating effect size of CJR status in all models was very small. Small differences in the moderating effect of CJR status by race and ethnicity were observed in LT settings. CONCLUSIONS: MOUD is greatly under-utilized for CJR patients, and given that MOUD was associated with positive outcomes, there is a critical need to find ways to increase access to MOUD for CJR patients in residential treatment. Race and ethnicity appear to have relatively little impact on outcomes.

High blood pressure self-care among hypertensive patients in Iran: a theory-driven study.

High blood pressure is becoming a universal epidemic for both developed and developing countries; it is one of the main public health problems all over the world. This research was conducted to assess blood pressure self-care among hypertensive patients in Iran. This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on 527 patients with hypertension recruited from Zarandieh, Iran in 2018. Data were gathered using questionnaires assessing socio-demographic information, social support, health belief model (HBM) constructs (perceived benefits to healthy behavior, barriers to healthy behavior, perceived disease threat, self-efficacy to engage in healthy behavior, and cues to action), and self-care activities to address blood pressure. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with self-care behaviors. Overall, 512 patients (215 men and 297 women) participated in this study. Participants who were married, and more educated engaged in more self-care behaviors. At least one-half of the patients (47.6%) demonstrated a moderate level of self-care behaviors with a mean score of self-care equal to 9.32 ± 3.6 (out of 18). All the elements of HBM and social support were significant predictors of self-care behaviors and self-efficacy was the strongest predictor, followed (in descending order) by perceived barriers, social support, perceived disease threat, and perceived benefits. Health education based on HBM, enhanced with attention to social support, may help patient enact healthier behaviors to reduce blood pressure.

A psychometric assessment of the Brief Situational Confidence Questionnaire for Marijuana (BSCQ-M) in juvenile justice-involved youth.

Cannabis refusal self-efficacy, defined as confidence in the ability to refuse cannabis or to avoid cannabis use, is associated with decreased cannabis use. Juvenile justice-involved youth are at high risk for cannabis use and may have lower refusal self-efficacy. While court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) and incarcerated youth are groups that are both at high-risk for cannabis use, the experience of incarceration may impact the measurement of refusal self-efficacy for cannabis. The factor structure, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the Brief Situational Confidence Questionnaire for Cannabis (BSCQ-M) was assessed among CINI (n = 148) and incarcerated (n = 199) youth (80.7% male, Mage = 16.3). Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a correlated 3-factor model including positive/good times, negative internal, and negative external situational factors best fit the data. Multigroup measurement invariance testing revealed that the BSCQ-M demonstrated configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance across CINI and incarcerated samples, indicating measurement invariance across the two groups. Negative binomial regressions revealed that BSCQ-M scores were significantly negatively associated with concurrent cannabis use. Results suggest that the BSCQ-M is a brief, psychometrically sound measure of refusal self-efficacy for cannabis among juvenile justice-involved youth that can be utilized with both CINI and incarcerated youth.

Motivational interviewing to reduce risky sexual behaviors among at-risk male youth: A randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Despite male youth taking more sexual risks that lead to unwanted partner pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), research evaluating interventions for risky sex has focused almost exclusively on adolescent and adult females. With STIs among male youth on the rise, behavioral interventions that target risky sex among male youth are needed. PURPOSE: A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility and acceptability of two manualized behavioral interventions for sexually active male youth. METHODS: Sexually active at-risk male youth (N = 27) were recruited and randomized to receive one session of motivational interviewing (MI) or didactic educational counseling (DEC). Assessment interviews were conducted prior to and 3 months following the intervention session. RESULTS: Support for the feasibility and acceptability of delivering behavioral interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviors among at-risk male youth was found. Compared to participants in DEC at follow-up, participants in MI reported having significantly fewer sexual encounters with casual partners, used substances at the time of sex significantly less often with all partners and casual partners, and reported fewer incidents of using substances at the time of sex without a condom with all partners. Conversely, participants who received MI used substances at the time of sex with main partners and used substances at the time of sex without a condom more often with main partners at follow-up compared to participants who received DEC. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the pilot study support conducting a larger randomized controlled trial to examine treatment effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Impact of Being a Peer Recovery Specialist on Work and Personal Life: Implications for Training and Supervision.

Peer recovery specialists are an important resource in community mental health settings. This study, which was part of a larger statewide assessment, evaluates how the role impacts work and personal lives of peers, with implications for improving the training and supervision of this service. The importance of peer work has been investigated through client outcomes, however less work has investigated outcomes on peers themselves, which impacts the work force and service delivery. Nine focus groups were conducted with peer recovery specialists. A two-stage qualitative analysis led to two overarching themes, work and personal, and six subthemes. Findings suggest being a peer presents unique benefits and challenges in work and personal life. Peers benefit from more training and supervision, consistency within the role, and maintaining boundaries. Additionally, work environment roles may be improved by attention to needs of supervisors in terms of skills for effective supervision and clarification of supervisory roles.

Effectiveness of message-framing to improve oral health behaviors and dental plaque among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is considered a prominent factor that contributes to quality of life. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can influence oral health. Message framing can play an important role in oral health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of message framing on oral health and dental plaque among pregnant women. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2017 on 108 pregnant women in Izeh county, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to gain-framed, loss-framed, and control groups. The research instrument included a two part questionnaire containing demographic information and oral health knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, practice, and dental plaque index. Gain-and loss-framed messages were sent to the intervention groups via cell phone texts, but the control group did not receive any messages. Participant dental plaque was clinically assessed. Analysis of covariance with follow-up tests were performed using SPSS version, 23.0 with p-value set at 0.01 for significance. RESULTS: Intervention groups had better oral health (knowledge, atttitude, intention, efficacy, practices and plaque) scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001), but intervention (gain- vs loss-framed) groups did not differ on outcomes. CONCLUSION: Text message intervention improved knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, practice, and dental plaque among pregnant women. While differences between control and both intervention groups indicated text messaging had an impact on oral health outcomes, message framing (i.e., gain vs loss) had no discernable impact on oral health outcomes.

Using implementation interventions and peer recovery support to improve opioid treatment outcomes in community supervision: Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose is to determine whether a facilitated local change team (LCT) intervention improves linkage to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and implementation outcomes, and whether participant-level outcomes are further enhanced by use of peer support specialists (PSS). METHODS: This Type 1 hybrid implementation-effectiveness study involves a pre-post design (implementation study) followed by a randomized trial of PSS (effectiveness study). Participants are at least 114 justice and service staff from 7 sites in three states: probation officers, community treatment providers, a supervisor from each agency, and key stakeholders. The study will recruit up to 680 individuals on probation from seven adult community probation offices; eligible individuals will be recently committed, English speakers, with opioid use disorder (OUD). Core Implementation Study: The study will use the exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainability (EPIS) framework to guide system-change through facilitated LCTs of probation and community treatment staff given a core set of implementation strategies to set goals. The study will collect program-level and staff survey data at the end of each EPIS stage. Implementation outcomes: Organizational engagement in MOUD (primary), plus changes in staff knowledge/attitudes and organizational outcomes (secondary). Effectiveness Study of PSS: After completing implementation, the study will randomize adults on probation to receive PSS vs. treatment as usual, with assessments at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Effectiveness outcomes include participant engagement in MOUD (primary), probation revocation, illicit opioid use, and overdoses. Other aims include identifying barriers and facilitators, and cost-benefit analysis of PSS. Adaptations in response to COVID-19 included moving many procedures to remote methods.

Implementing Coordinated Specialty Care in CMHC Youth and Young Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Preliminary Outcome Assessment.

This study assessed impact of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC), expanded to include both first episode psychosis (FEP) and severe mental health disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, trauma) in youths attending Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). Eligible youth and young adults (ages 16-26 years, N = 201) were recruited from two CMHCs and assessed every 6 months. Paired sample t-tests were performed comparing pre- and post-treatment observations. Statistically significant decreases from pre to post were found in sad and anxious feelings and in days hospitalized for psychiatric emergency and increases were found in subjective health ratings and employment status. This preliminary assessment supports the effectiveness of expanded inclusion criteria for participation in the CSC model.

[Disease-related knowledge acquisition through structured patient information in rheumatoid arthritis (StruPI-RA) : First results of the StruPI-RA study in Germany]. / Krankheitsbezogener Wissenserwerb durch strukturierte Patienteninformation bei Rheumatoider Arthritis (StruPI-RA) : Erste Ergebnisse der StruPI-RA-Studie in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The structured patient information for rheumatoid arthritis (StruPi-RA) program was the first standardized outpatient education program in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany. The main objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of the StruPi-RA program concerning disease-specific knowledge acquisition in patients with early stage RA or after changing the treatment regimen. METHODS: A total of 61 patients were included in a control group design, 32 in the intervention group (IG) and 29 in the control group (CG). Patients of the IG attended 3 modules of 90 min in a structured patient information program (StruPI-RA) including the topics of diagnostics, treatment and living with RA. Patients in the CG only received information material from the German Rheumatism League. The primary target criterion was the disease-related acquisition of knowledge, measured with the patient knowledge questionnaire (PKQ). Data were collected before and after participation in StruPI-RA. RESULTS: The improvement in knowledge in the IG attending the StruPI-RA compared to the CG was significant in time and group comparisons. No influence of disease duration or educational level was observed. The subscale treatment alone showed a significant difference in the group and time comparison. CONCLUSION: Participation in the StruPI-RA program in early RA was associated with a significant increase in disease-specific knowledge compared to the control group of patients. This leads to better decision-making in terms of treatment, a more beneficial doctor-patient communication and better self-management. In the long term an improvement in treatment adherence and quality of life is expected.

Fatherhood, Reproductive Health, and Incarcerated Men: A Qualitative Study With Implications for Reentry.

It is important to understand how incarcerated men conceptualize fatherhood for reentry. Sixteen interviews explored attitudes and feelings about parenthood, family planning, and challenges and strengths regarding fatherhood. Transcriptions were analyzed for themes using open coding. Parenting themes: being active in children's lives, financial stability, and giving children better lives. Family planning themes: preventing sexually transmitted infection, creating stable families, importance of family planning, and birth control methods. Men were motivated to be stable fathers and utilize family planning to create stability; men expressed need for better partner communication. Fathers struggled to provide support/stability for children but expressed openness to learning parenting skills and family planning methods. Reentry strategies may address these themes to rehabilitate men and enhance family planning.

Imaging Features of Acute Encephalopathy in Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series.

Coronavirus disease 2019 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. There is a scarcity of data on coronavirus disease 2019-related brain imaging features. We present 5 cases that illustrate varying imaging presentations of acute encephalopathy in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. MR features include leukoencephalopathy, diffusion restriction that involves the GM and WM, microhemorrhages, and leptomeningitis. We believe it is important for radiologists to be familiar with the neuroradiologic imaging spectrum of acute encephalopathy in the coronavirus disease 2019 population.

Prevalence and factors associated with disruptive behavior among Iranian students during 2015: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Disruptive behavior can have lifetime consequences for youth. Prevention, early identification and treatment of disruptive behavior can improve outcomes for these youth. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of disruptive behavior among a sample of Iranian youth, and the relationship of disruptive behavior to other psychological phenomena that may be targeted for prevention, early identification and treatment. METHOD: The sample consisted of 600 high school students (300 boys and 300 girls; ages 15 to 18 years old) selected through multi-stage random sampling in Saveh city, of Iran, in 2015. Questionnaires assessed several phenomena including demographics, life satisfaction, social support, depression, stress, smoking and hopefulness. The Disruptive Behavior Scale was also utilized. Univariate analyses were followed by multiple logistic regressions to examine relations among disruptive behavior and other constructs. RESULTS: Prevalence of disruptive behavior was 7.5%, in boys and 3.1%, in girls. Mean scores were 22.97 ± 1.17 for boys and 19.15 ± 1.06 for girls, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). The results of regression revealed low life satisfaction (OR = 3.75; 95% CI: (2.37-5.91), social support (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: (0.56-0.82) and hopefulness (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: (0.62-0.92); and smoking (OR = 3.65; 95% CI: (2.19-6.06), being male (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: (1.54-4.22), and higher stress (OR = 1.92; 95% CI: (1.60-2.91) and depression (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: (1.82-4.88) were significant factors in predicting disruptive behavior. CONCLUSION: Disruptive behavior was associted with life satisfaction, smoking, being a boy, social support, hopefulness, stress, and depression. Targeting constructs (e.g., support, stress) associated with disruptive behavior may assist in prevention, early identification and treatment of problem behavior. For example, health promotion programs to increase hopefulness, satisfaction and support, and reduce stress, depression and smoking might be of importance for prevention and treatment of disruptive behavior.

The impact of motivational interviewing on relapse to substance use among women in Iran: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Women in Iran are in great need of effective substance abuse services. The current study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) for women in treatment for drug use in Iran. METHOD: The sample (N = 60) included women in a drug treatment center in Qazvin (Iran) from August to December of 2017. The research sample included 60 female drug users randomly assigned to MI or Standard Care (SC). Prior to randomization women completed a baseline questionnaire and the Relapse Prediction Scale (RPS), which measures desire (urge) to use and probability of using/not using in risky situations (self-efficacy). MI consisted of eight 60-min group sessions over a 1-month period, twice weekly. At 2-months follow-up, data were gathered using a questionnaire similar to baseline. Mixed Model Analysis were used to determine group differences. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 30 years and average addiction duration was 7 years. Although the scores of the desire to use and the probability of drug use were not significant before the intervention, after the intervention, scores on desire to use and probability of use improved about 81.1% (F: 2230.15, P < 0.001, degrees of freedom: 63, 15) and 81.9%, (F: 749.39, P < 0.001, degrees of freedom: 79, 77), respectively, compared to those of control group. CONCLUSION: The results showed that motivational interviewing could decrease desire to use and probability of use among female drug users. Motivational interviewing could play an important role in improving women's health in Iran. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT registration number: IRCT20140907019077N4 Registration date: 2017-12-12, 1396/09/21 Registration timing: registered_while_recruiting Last update: 2017-12-12, 1396/09/21.

Clinical features related to CSF level of amyloid Aß42 and Aß40 proteins in presence of lobar microbleeds.

In presence of lobar microbleeds, the exact clinical features related to the level of Aß42, Aß40 and to the Aß40/Aß42 ratio in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are poorly known. We analyzed in 28 consecutive patients with such lesions, whose clinical or additional magnetic resonance imaging features are related to these biomarkers. The results showed that the presence of absence of hypertension, the extent or the antero-posterior distribution of white matter hyperintensities, the presence or absence of vascular lesions in the deepest parts of the brain, and the presence of dementia are related to variations of Aß42, Aß40 or of the Aß40/Aß42 ratio in the cerebrospinal fluid.