1. Predictors of Continued Use of Extended-Released Naltrexone (XR-NTX) for Opioid-Dependence: An Analysis of Heroin and Non-Heroin Opioid Users in Los Angeles County
- Author
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Cousins, Sarah J, Radfar, Seyed Ramin, Crèvecoeur-MacPhail, Desirée, Ang, Alfonso, Darfler, Kendall, and Rawson, Richard A
- Subjects
Biological Psychology ,Psychology ,Prevention ,Substance Misuse ,Drug Abuse (NIDA only) ,Neurosciences ,Clinical Research ,Brain Disorders ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Mental health ,Good Health and Well Being ,Adult ,Craving ,Delayed-Action Preparations ,Female ,Heroin Dependence ,Humans ,Los Angeles ,Male ,Middle Aged ,Naltrexone ,Narcotic Antagonists ,Opioid-Related Disorders ,Substance Abuse ,Intravenous ,Opioid use disorder ,Extended-release naltrexone ,Heroin ,Opioids ,Medication-assisted treatment ,Public Health and Health Services ,Substance Abuse ,Health services and systems ,Clinical and health psychology - Abstract
Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is associated with an increased number of opioid-free days, improved adherence rates in substance use disorder treatment programs, and reduced cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. There is little evidence on the predictive associations between baseline characteristics of opioid-dependent patients and XR-NTX utilization. Some studies have demonstrated better pharmacotherapy adherence and/or retention rates among non-heroin opioid users compared to heroin users. This study examines predictive associations between characteristics of patients and XR-NTX utilization, as well as participants' urge to use opiates. Our findings suggest that XR-NTX may contribute to decreases in urges to use among both heroin and non-heroin opioid users. Non-heroin opioid users and heroin users were retained in XR-NTX treatment for comparable periods of time. However, those who identified as homeless, injected opioids (regardless of opioid-type), or were diagnosed with a mental illness were less likely to be retained in treatment with XR-NTX.
- Published
- 2016
