The impact of relaxation of methadone take-home protocols on treatment outcomes in the COVID-19 era

Original research
by
Amram, Ofer et al

Release Date

2021

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

To evaluate the effects of the SAMSHA exemption on methadone adherence and OUD-related outcomes.

Findings/Key points

Despite a near-doubling of take-home methadone doses during the COVID-19 exemption period, the increase in take-home doses was not associated with negative treatment outcomes in methadone-adherent clients.

Design/methods

A convenience sample of 183 clients (58% female) were recruited from a methadone clinic in the fall of 2019 for a cross-sectional survey.

Keywords

Policy/Regulatory
About prescribers
Outcomes
Substitution/OAT
Carries/take-home doses