This study tests whether starting Suboxone (buprenorphine) during a medical hospitalization, and then providing an appointment (a "link") for after discharge to maintenance buprenorphine in an outpatient setting will reduce HIV risk behavior in individuals who inject opioids.
In this randomized controlled trial, medically hospitalized opioid dependent patients will be assigned to a "treatment as usual" group, where they will receive a detox regiment of Suboxone during their hospital stay, or a "linkage" group, where they receive a maintenance course of Suboxone during their hospital stay, and appointment post-discharge with an outpatient Suboxone clinic/provider and a Suboxone prescription to use between discharge and this appointment. Study interviews are completed at baseline, and 1, 3- and 6-months post-baseline. Primary outcomes are opioid use and HIV risk behavior.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
147
This intervention provides an outpatient appointment with a Suboxone provider for medically hospitalized opioid-dependent patients to attend post-discharge.
Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
opioid use
Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months
HIV risk behavior
Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months
reduction in injection-related medical conditions
Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months
reduction in emergency department and hospital utilization
Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months
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