Search

Many Americans with opioid use disorder (OUD), do not have access to treatment. Mobile narcotic treatment programs are now under new regulations that may make treatment more accessible to more people. These mobile programs can help expand the reach of opioid agonist treatment for OUD, help reduce human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and hepatitis C in the OUD population, and have retention rates that are often better than those at fixed-site clinics. Mobile services can also help reach marginalized individuals, the homeless, rural communities, and other underserved communities. They may offer methadone or buprenorphine treatment. Such mobile services have been used inside and outside the United States with promising results. In particular, mobile programs can make treatment available to people who do not have insurance, who lack reliable transportation, live in chaotic situations, or may be undomiciled. The potential pairing of mobile programs together with technology, such as smartphone apps or online resources, may allow mobile patients to benefit from counseling as well. Mobile clinics must be attached to a fixed-site narcotic treatment program and may have limitations with respect to the geographic area served. Mobile programs must have policies and procedures to store, transport, deliver, account for, reconcile, and dispose of opioid waste and would be subject to audit. Mobile opioid agonist therapy is an important and innovative service of particular value to underserved communities., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Breve et al.)

Fear of withdrawal symptoms has been cited by survey respondents as the main reason that they continued to use opioids. Lofexidine is an α 2 -adrenergic agonist that decreases the sympathetic outflow that results in the characteristic symptoms of opioid withdrawal. A structural analog of clonidine, lofexidine has a higher affinity and specificity for the α 2a receptors and does not reinforce opioid dependence. Withdrawal symptoms correlate approximately to the half-life of the opioid; patient factors such as age, duration of opioid exposure, physical status, and other considerations may influence the nature and duration of withdrawal symptoms. For patients with opioid use disorder and psychiatric comorbidities, withdrawal may be destabilizing and may exacerbate mental health status. Lofexidine has been shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective in helping to manage the symptoms of withdrawal and has been recommended in guidelines for this purpose. Adverse events associated with lofexidine include QT prolongation, hypotension, orthostasis, and bradycardia. The maximum course of treatment is 14 days, and doses should be titrated, with the recommended maximum dose to coincide with the most severe withdrawal symptoms (about 5-7 days after opioid discontinuation).