Why Should We Treat OUD
SECTION 3
Understanding the urgent need for effective treatment for individuals with OUD is vital. Statistics show that at least 25% of incarcerated individuals have OUD, with a heightened risk of overdose upon release, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive treatment and support services.
By reviewing the intricate triggers and cravings that contribute to the cycle of relapse among individuals with OUD, by detailing how seemingly innocuous stimuli, such as returning to familiar environments, can reignite cravings and prompt a return to substance use. Through raising awareness of these factors and complexities of addiction, and the challenges individuals face in maintaining sobriety, we can better understand the importance of tailored interventions and ongoing support in mitigating the risk of relapse and promoting sustained recovery.
Sobering Facts:
•Two-thirds of people in jail meet the criteria for drug dependence or abuse. —Bureau of Justice Statistics 2014
•Of these, at least 25% have an OUD à at least 16-17% jail detainees have OUD
•Risk of overdose increases 129 times over the general population for those who detox, leave jail, and return to their previous levels of drug use.
•Providing MAT to inmates improves behavior behind bars
•Detainees receiving methadone continuation during incarceration are 3 times less likely to receive disciplinary tickets than those on forced methadone withdrawal
•CDCR saw 58% reduction in Rules Violation Reports in inmates receiving MAT
-California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Persons released from prison have 129 times the risk of overdose death than the general population.
RIDOC (Rhode Island Department of Corrections) saw 61% drop in opioid overdose deaths after release within a year of program launch, contributing to a 12% overall drop in overdose deaths across the state
Methadone: Treatement vs. Forced Withdrawl
Rikers Island has seen twice the rate of adherence in outpatient treatment when methadone is continued during jail stay compared to forced methadone withdrawal.
Did You know:
Former inmates are 40X more likely to die of an opioid overdose in the two weeks following release from prison.
