2026/02/01 by Lucy J. D. Peck, Bethany White, Maja Lindegaard Moensted +9 · 1 voice
Medicine · #HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk #Opioid Use Disorder Treatment #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/dar.70096
openalex publication_date 2026/02/01 · openalex created_date 2026/02/19 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
INTRODUCTION: Among other benefits, opioid agonist treatment (OAT; methadone and buprenorphine) is protective against overdose for people with opioid use disorder following release from custody. Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) is safe with an apparent low risk of diversion relative to other OAT formulations in correctional settings and may become a preferred OAT formulation in this setting. Factors that influence retention in LAIB post-release are unknown. METHOD: People receiving LAIB in nine New South Wales prisons were consented to participate in a survey designed to explore treatment experiences post-release. Participants who reported ceasing LAIB within 12 weeks of release were invited to complete an in-depth interview using a semi-structured guide via phone or secure videoconference in the community, or in custody if reincarcerated. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data analysed using iterative categorisation and thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 31 participants who ceased LAIB within 12 weeks following release from custody were interviewed. Mean age was 34 years (SD 9), 24 were male and 16 identified as Aboriginal People. Key themes regarding treatment cessation were misinformation and lack of treatment education, limited transition supports for housing, mental health and illicit substance use, and changing treatment benefits between the custody and community contexts including illicit substance preferences and side effects. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Numerous personal experiences and psychosocial factors impacted participant motivations and capacity to continue LAIB post-release. Understanding and addressing these factors is necessary to support treatment retention and increase community-based program acceptability and continuation in this population.