Fox, A. D., Maradiaga, J., Weiss, L., Sanchez, J., Starrels, J. L., & Cunningham, C. O. (2015). Release from incarceration, relapse to opioid use and the potential for buprenorphine maintenance treatment: a qualitative study of the perceptions of former inmates with opioid use disorder. Addiction science & clinical practice, 10(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-014-0023-0 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25592182/ 

This qualitative study investigated barriers to and facilitators of buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) following release from incarceration (“re-entry”). The authors found that many participants experienced painful withdrawal from methadone during incarceration and were fearful that using MAT would lead to opioid tolerance and painful withdrawal again in the future. Participants reported both positive and negative experiences taking illicit buprenorphine, which affected interest in BMT. Overall, BMT was perceived to be a good treatment option for opioid use disorder that could reduce the risk of re-incarceration. This article is a useful resource for those interested in learning more about the perspective of people receiving treatment for opioid addiction upon release from correctional facilities.  It provides insight into motivations, perceived risks, and barriers to treatment access and uptake that can inform policy and program changes for MOUD treatment programs. 

Bottom Line: This study completed 21 interviews with individuals who had been incarcerated to gain insight into barriers and facilitators to buprenorphine treatment post release and found most participants believed buprenorphine is a good treatment option, however, may be reluctant to begin treatment upon re-entry.