Each of the three medications that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder have different benefits to individuals depending on their health and drug use histories with methadone having the longest and most well-documented history of success.
The medication physically stabilizes the patient, allowing for the causes, consequences and patterns of addiction to be addressed and healthy coping mechanisms to be learned.
Incarcerated individuals who receive treatment while detained have the best outcomes when that treatment is continued post-release.
“Now we are at the point where the implementation of evidence-based treatment principles is called for within the criminal justice system to improve public health and public safety by reducing both drug use and crime.”
– Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
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✓ Case management services and pre-release transition planning
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✓ Warm handoff or referral to a community-based MAT provider
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✓ Referral to healthcare providers with mental health or specialty needs
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✓ Referral to resources for housing, employment, legal guidance and other services