Minaliza Shahlapour, Alyssa F Peterkin, Jessica L Taylor, Sebastian Suarez
{"title":"A Case-Based Curriculum on Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Among Internal Medicine Residents.","authors":"Minaliza Shahlapour, Alyssa F Peterkin, Jessica L Taylor, Sebastian Suarez","doi":"10.1177/29767342241261612","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342241261612","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As the mandatory X-waiver requirements for prescribing buprenorphine have recently been lifted, general practitioners are being relied on to fill the treatment gap in prescribing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). However, insufficient clinician education remains a major barrier to prescribing MOUD in both inpatient and outpatient settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the impact of a new MOUD curriculum on internal medicine (IM) residents' attitudes, comfort, and knowledge of buprenorphine in the inpatient and outpatient settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All second-year IM residents (n = 46) participated in a 90-minute curricular session between July and October 2022 during scheduled mandatory didactic blocks. The curriculum was structured as a small group, case-based session focused on how to initiate sublingual buprenorphine (traditional and low-dose initiation). Residents completed identical and anonymous pre- and post-session surveys. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-nine (84.4%) second-year IM residents participated in the evaluation. Residents reported increased importance of independently initiating buprenorphine for hospitalized patients with opioid withdrawal (<i>P</i> < .001). Residents were significantly more likely to endorse confidence in discussing MOUD with patients (<i>P</i> < .001), initiating buprenorphine in inpatient and outpatient settings (<i>P</i> < .001), and identifying patients who would benefit from low-dose buprenorphine initiation (<i>P</i> = .002). There was a significant increase in the correct number of knowledge-based questions after the session (before = 1.55/4 vs after = 3.33/4; <i>P</i> value < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A 90-minute buprenorphine training improved residents' attitudes toward, perceptions of competency, and knowledge of buprenorphine delivery to patients with OUD in the inpatient and outpatient setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":"46 2","pages":"231-237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diane K King, Steven J Ondersma, Bonnie G McRee, Jacqueline S German, Amy M Loree, Amy Harlowe, Daniel P Alford, Robyn N M Sedotto, Mary Kate Weber
{"title":"Using Planned and Unplanned Adaptation to Implement Universal Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention to Prevent Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies in Four Primary Care Health Systems.","authors":"Diane K King, Steven J Ondersma, Bonnie G McRee, Jacqueline S German, Amy M Loree, Amy Harlowe, Daniel P Alford, Robyn N M Sedotto, Mary Kate Weber","doi":"10.1177/29767342241271404","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241271404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual alcohol screening and brief behavioral intervention (alcohol SBI) with general adult and pregnant populations. Implementation of alcohol SBI in primary care has encountered numerous barriers to adapting procedures and infrastructure to support its routine delivery. This collection of case studies describes the implementation strategies used by 4 academic health system teams that were funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement alcohol SBI within healthcare systems to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used constructs from the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME) to describe planned and unplanned adaptations to implementation strategies, and the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) Program Matrix to identify key questions, challenges, and recommendations for improving alcohol SBI implementation. Participating systems were 2 regional affiliates of a national reproductive healthcare organization, an integrated non-profit healthcare system, and an urban medical center and its affiliated network of community health centers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Planned adaptations included expanding the target population for brief interventions to include patients drinking at low levels who could become pregnant, modifying workflows and systems to support routine screening, and customizing training content and logistics. Unplanned adaptations included varying site recruitment and pre-implementation awareness-building strategies to enhance local receptivity of systems with decentralized management, and pivoting from in-person to virtual training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer unplanned adaptations were observed for health systems with centralized management structures and practice teams that were fully engaged in implementation planning, training, roll-out, and problem-solving.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Unplanned adaptations were observed across the 4 cases and emphasized the importance of flexible, adaptive designs when implementing evidence-based practice in dynamic settings. Participation of the health system in planning, including decisions to modify electronic health records and workflows, supported adapting to unplanned circumstances to achieve implementation goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"439-451"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11910335/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142305692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fiona N Conway, Heather Kane, Amanda Bingaman, Patrick Kennedy, Elaine Tang, Sheila V Patel, Jessica D Cance
{"title":"User Experience of a Just-in-Time Smartphone Resonance Breathing Application for Substance Use Disorder: Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility.","authors":"Fiona N Conway, Heather Kane, Amanda Bingaman, Patrick Kennedy, Elaine Tang, Sheila V Patel, Jessica D Cance","doi":"10.1177/29767342241263675","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241263675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Addressing the negative impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on individuals, families, and communities is a public health priority. Most treatments and interventions require engagement with a healthcare provider or someone who can offer recovery support. The need for interventions that facilitate self-management of relapse triggers at the moment they occur is also critical. Our study aimed to explore the user experience of individuals using a just-in-time smartphone episodic resonance breathing (eRPB) intervention to address stress, anxiety, and drug cravings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an 8-week pilot study of the eRPB with 30 individuals in recovery from SUD. Data on 3 indicators of user experience-acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility-were collected using survey questions (n = 30) and semi-structured interviews (n = 11). We performed univariate analysis on the survey data and deductive thematic analysis on the qualitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A majority of the survey respondents agreed that the application (app) was acceptable (> 77%), appropriate (> 82%), and feasible (> 89%). Several interview participants stated that the app helped them relax and manage stress and cravings and expressed appreciation for the simplicity of its design. Participants also reported barriers to feasibility (such as forgetting to use the app) and recommendations for improvement (such as the addition of motivational messages).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings show that individuals in recovery from SUD had highly positive experiences with the eRPB app. A positive user experience may improve adherence to the intervention and, ultimately, the self-management of stress, anxiety, and craving relapse triggers.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"256-265"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141861976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carolyn A Chan, Rebecca Minahan-Rowley, Emma T Biegacki, Kimberly L Sue, Melissa B Weimer
{"title":"Development of a Patient and Clinician Informed Website on Injection Drug Use Related Infective Endocarditis.","authors":"Carolyn A Chan, Rebecca Minahan-Rowley, Emma T Biegacki, Kimberly L Sue, Melissa B Weimer","doi":"10.1177/29767342241267077","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241267077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Few patient-facing educational materials and interventions exist for the prevention of injection drug use-related infective endocarditis (IDU-IE). We developed a patient and clinician-informed website for patients about IDU-IE to promote education and prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This mixed-methods study integrated surveys and semi-structured interviews with patients and clinician to develop a patient website about IDU-IE. Patient participants included hospitalized adults with an opioid use disorder, history of injection drug use, and an injection drug use-related infection. Interprofessional healthcare clinicians including trainees participated. A baseline survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients to understand knowledge of IDU-IE and preferences in educational materials content and format. Interviews were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. Results informed development of the patient website. Finally, patients and clinicians provided 2 rounds of survey feedback after reviewing the website, assessing the likelihood of using and recommending it to others, helpfulness of information in the website sections, and content satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patient participants (n = 15) reported low baseline understanding of injection practice and risk of IDU-IE. After reviewing the website (n = 17), patients reported they were very likely to recommend the website as a reference for themselves (mean of 4.3; 4 = very likely) and for others (mean = 4.3). They found the following sections, on average, to be very helpful (4 = very helpful): complications from injection drug use (4.4), safer injection practice (4.4), and information about infective endocarditis (4.4). Patients on average were satisfied with the website content overall (4.8). Clinicians (n = 27) reported, on average, being very likely to recommend this website to a patient (4.4) and to use the website to counsel patients (4.1).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A patient and clinician-informed website on IDU-IE is acceptable for patients and clinicians to use as a patient education resource to help prevent IDU-IE-related harms.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"280-290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141861973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah K Casey, Sydney Howard, Susan Regan, Alison Romero, Elizabeth A Powell, Laura Kehoe, Martha T Kane, Sarah E Wakeman
{"title":"Linkage to Care Outcomes Following Treatment in A Low-Threshold Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic.","authors":"Sarah K Casey, Sydney Howard, Susan Regan, Alison Romero, Elizabeth A Powell, Laura Kehoe, Martha T Kane, Sarah E Wakeman","doi":"10.1177/29767342241261609","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241261609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) remains low in the United States. To better meet needs of people who use alcohol and other drugs, low threshold bridge clinics which offer treatment without barrier and harm reduction services have gained prevalence. Bridge clinics work to surmount barriers to care by providing same day medication and treatment for SUD and eventually transitioning patients to community-based treatment providers. In this study, we examine SUD treatment outcomes among patients who transitioned out of a bridge clinic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective cohort study of posttreatment outcomes of patients seen at an urban medical center's bridge clinic between 2017 and 2022. The primary outcome was being in care anywhere at time of follow-up. We also examined the proportion of patients who completed each step of the cascade of care following transfer: connection to transfer clinic, completion of a clinic visit, retention in care, and medication use among those remaining in care at the transfer clinic. We examined the association of different bridge clinic services with still being in care anywhere and the association between successful transfer with being in care and taking medication at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 209 eligible participants, 63 were surveyed. Sixty-five percent of participants identified as male, 74% as white, 12% as Hispanic, 6% as Black, and 16% were unhoused. Most participants (78%) reported being connected to SUD treatment from the Bridge Clinic, and 37% remained in care at the same facility at the time of survey. Eighty-four percent reported being in treatment anywhere and 68% reported taking medication for SUD at follow-up, with most participants reporting taking buprenorphine (46%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Of those participants who transitioned out of a bridge clinic into community-based SUD care, 78% were successfully connected to ongoing care and 84% were still in care at follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"247-255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141444021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinyi Jiang, Gery P Guy, Jill A Dever, John S Richardson, Laura J Dunlap, Didier Turcios, Sara Beth Wolicki, Mark J Edlund, Jan L Losby
{"title":"Association Between Length of Buprenorphine or Methadone Use and Nonprescribed Opioid Use Among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: A Cohort Study.","authors":"Xinyi Jiang, Gery P Guy, Jill A Dever, John S Richardson, Laura J Dunlap, Didier Turcios, Sara Beth Wolicki, Mark J Edlund, Jan L Losby","doi":"10.1177/29767342241266038","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241266038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects millions of individuals each year in the United States. Patient retention in medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment is suboptimal. This study examines and quantifies the associations between each additional month of buprenorphine or methadone use and nonprescribed opioid use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from an 18-month longitudinal, observational cohort study of patients (age ≥ 18 years) treated for OUD. Patients completed a baseline self-reported questionnaire between March 2018 and December 2019 and were asked to complete follow-up questionnaires at approximately 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-months post-baseline until May 2021. Patients treated with buprenorphine or methadone, without taking other MOUD at least 12 months prior to baseline, were included. Outcomes included past 30-day use of prescription opioids nonmedically, heroin, or illegally made fentanyl. A multivariable, multilevel regression model with a binomial distribution and a logit link was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study included 353 patients taking buprenorphine (mean [standard deviation, SD] age 39 [11] years; 226 [64%] female), and 785 patients taking methadone (mean [SD] age 42 [12] years; 392 [50%] female). Each additional month of MOUD treatment was associated with a 25% decrease in the odds of past 30-day nonprescribed opioid use for patients taking buprenorphine (aOR [95% CI] = 0.75 [0.68-0.83]), and a 17% decrease for patients taking methadone (aOR = 0.83 [0.79-0.87]). The COVID-19 pandemic (aOR = 9.29 [2.96-29.17]; aOR = 3.19 [1.74-5.86]) and MOUD adverse reaction experiences (aOR = 3.07 [1.11-8.48]; aOR = 2.51 [1.01-6.22]) were significantly associated with higher odds of nonprescribed opioid use among buprenorphine and methadone groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Among patients treated with buprenorphine or methadone, with each additional treatment month since baseline, those who continued with treatment appeared to be more likely to report 17% to 25% decreased odds of past 30-day nonprescribed opioid use. Our findings can be used by clinicians in the shared decision-making process with patients, emphasizing the value of sustained retention in MOUD.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"266-279"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11825882/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141977549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Janice Vendetti, Candice Bangham, Melissa Riba, Corrie Whitmore, Karen Steinberg Gallucci, Bridget L Hanson, Jacey A Greece
{"title":"Cross-Site Evaluation of Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Implementation Programs in Healthcare Systems Serving Individuals of Reproductive Age.","authors":"Janice Vendetti, Candice Bangham, Melissa Riba, Corrie Whitmore, Karen Steinberg Gallucci, Bridget L Hanson, Jacey A Greece","doi":"10.1177/29767342241267074","DOIUrl":"10.1177/29767342241267074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>With US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding, from 2018 to 2022, 4 large healthcare systems (n = 53 health centers across 7 states) serving people of reproductive age trained staff and provided implementation support for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI). This cross-site evaluation explores each healthcare system's implementation approach to implement SBI, reduce excessive alcohol use, and prevent prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) Program Matrix framed the multilevel strategies to implement alcohol SBI programs from 2018 to 2022. Qualitative and quantitative data sources examined outcomes, guided by one logic model, through systems-level process data and provider-level performance metrics. Data analyses utilized frequencies and means for quantitative data and themes for qualitative data according to an established framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Successful approaches within systems included using electronic health records, flexible implementation and workflow protocols, customized training and technical assistance programs, quality assurance feedback loops, and stakeholder buy-in. Centralized management structures were efficient in standardizing implementation across health centers. Decentralized management structures used tailored approaches, enhancing provider/staff SBI acceptance. Across systems, 1259 staff (eg, clinicians, medical assistants) were trained to provide alcohol SBI services and reported pre-post training increases in self-efficacy in performing brief intervention; skills in PAE counseling; and confidence in screening. Fifty-three (48 providing data) health centers implemented alcohol SBI, screening 106 826 patients over the study period with most of the 10 087 patients who screened positive for excessive alcohol use receiving a BI.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Maximizing the use of technology, employing flexibility in program delivery, and institutionalizing processes and protocols improved workflow, efficiency, and program reach. Ongoing partnership and stakeholder communication identify areas for ongoing improvement, engagement, and best practices for sustainability around substance use screening, which are essential with increases in substance use since the pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"461-475"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11823082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141977550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Noah Berland, Aaron D Fox, Keith Goldfeld, Andrea Greene, Daniel Lugassy, Kathleen Hanley, Ian S deSouza
{"title":"Non-Inferiority of Online Compared With In-Person Opioid Overdose Prevention Training in Medical Students.","authors":"Noah Berland, Aaron D Fox, Keith Goldfeld, Andrea Greene, Daniel Lugassy, Kathleen Hanley, Ian S deSouza","doi":"10.1177/29767342251328755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342251328755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Drug overdose deaths have increased fivefold over the last 20 years, primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, which led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to declare an opioid overdose epidemic. Responding to this epidemic, we designed and implemented opioid overdose prevention (OOP) training for medical students to help promote effective naloxone usage. Previously, we compared online and in-person versions of OOP training over 2 years of training. To better establish the evidence for online training, we performed a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing in-person with online opioid prevention training.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Third-year medical students were randomized into groups to receive either in-person or online training in preparation for clinical rotations. Students randomized to receive online training were provided a link to the training modules. Students randomized to receive in-person training were trained in an in-person setting. We performed a non-inferiority per-protocol analysis with the primary outcome of knowledge using a non-inferiority margin of a -9.1% difference between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 205 students were randomized, 103 students to in-person training and 102 to online training. Eighty-three in-person students and 104 online students were included. The online group had a higher post-training knowledge score compared to the in-person group by 0.44 points (0-11 point scale) with a 95% CI of (-0.04, 0.93) that did not cross the margin of non-inferiority.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Online training for OOP was effective and non-inferior to in-person training. Online OOP training may be considered an alternative to in-person training.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"29767342251328755"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143757235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna E Eitel, Christin Mujica, Marie A Hayes, Constance Guille, Aimee McRae-Clark, Sara M Witcraft
{"title":"Weighing Risks and Benefits: Patient Perceptions on Using Medications for Opioid Use Disorder During and After Pregnancy.","authors":"Anna E Eitel, Christin Mujica, Marie A Hayes, Constance Guille, Aimee McRae-Clark, Sara M Witcraft","doi":"10.1177/29767342251326344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342251326344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant and postpartum persons has increased in the last 20 years and poses risks to both birthing parent and fetus/child. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) can reduce these risks, yet engagement is limited among pregnant and postpartum persons with over half discontinuing in the postpartum year. Little research has explored pregnant and postpartum persons' reasons for using MOUD in pregnancy and decisions around (dis)continuing after childbirth. We sought to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons pregnant and postpartum persons use MOUD in pregnancy and motivations for continued use or discontinuation postpartum.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Individual interviews (n = 4) and focus groups (2 focus groups with total n = 6) were conducted with 10 participants with OUD aged 18 to 45 years who were currently pregnant (50%) or postpartum (50%) and had been treated with MOUD. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed, and a codebook was iteratively created using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes and 7 subthemes emerged within 2 domains representing experiences with MOUD during pregnancy (domain 1) and postpartum (domain 2). Participants were highly motivated toward MOUD in pregnancy for the benefits to themselves and their unborn children but acknowledged several drawbacks including the possibility of fetal/neonatal withdrawal. Reasons for MOUD use postpartum shifted toward improving maternal mental health and parenting. Several participants anticipated eventually tapering MOUD within the postpartum year as they no longer saw a distinct need for it.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite perceived risks, pregnant and postpartum persons with OUD have many motivations to use MOUD during pregnancy that may shift in the postpartum period. Our findings underscore the importance of education and shared decision-making and emphasize the need for leveraging pre- and postnatal motivation for MOUD during these conversations and throughout course of treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"29767342251326344"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143660216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Employment Trajectories of Recently Certified Peer Support Specialists: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis.","authors":"Elizabeth Siantz, Morgan Pelot, Laysha Ostrow","doi":"10.1177/29767342251322243","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342251322243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent work has highlighted the challenges and benefits that certified peer specialists (CPSs) experience in the workforce. While their work can lead to personal fulfillment and financial independence for CPSs, and improved mental health and substance use recovery outcomes for their clients, little is known about CPS employment trajectories or the circumstances that impact their early-career workforce involvement over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used within- and across-case analyses of longitudinal data from qualitative interviews with 13 CPS that participated in a multistate, 3 year observational prospective cohort study of CPS graduates to explore employment changes and circumstances that led to these transitions. Qualitative results were organized according to whether cases were \"employed as a CPS at follow-up\" (N = 5) or \"not employed as CPS at follow-up\" (N = 8).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants \"employed as a CPS\" at follow-up held various positions following certification, and they shared a sense of optimism about their future work. At the second interview, most remained in the same positions they held at baseline and described personal fulfillment and a supportive work environment as reasons for remaining. Participants who were \"not employed as a CPS\" at follow-up were also not employed as a CPS at their baseline interview but aspired to pursue future CPS work. At their second interview, many remained unemployed due to poor health and disability, or described past traumatic experiences, stress, and burnout related to being a CPS as reasons for leaving the CPS work force. All participants were challenged to find work as a CPS at various moments in their trajectories.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results indicate that securing employment as a CPS was challenging for participants. Findings are discussed with implications for supporting CPS job seeking, well-being, and workforce retention.</p>","PeriodicalId":516535,"journal":{"name":"Substance use & addiction journal","volume":" ","pages":"29767342251322243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}