Lincoln, T., Johnson, B. D., McCarthy, P., & Alexander, E. (2018). Extended-release naltrexone for opioid use disorder started during or following incarceration. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 85, 97–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2017.04.002 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28479011/ 

This article presents an observational study conducted in a western Massachusetts county jail that initiated extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) prior to release from incarceration and linkage of participants to community treatment providers upon release. This article explores the success and barriers towards this program, as well as retention on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. This article concludes that receiving XR-NTX prior to jail release for opioid use disorder appears to increase the treatment retention rate as compared to commencing after release. This article serves as a useful reference for supporting expanding availability of opioid agonist treatments prior to release and other evidence-based supports and retention strategies in the community. 

Bottom Line: This study found that participants who began extended-release naltrexone treatment during incarceration had higher rates of treatment retention (55% were still in treatment at week 4, 36% at week 8 and 21% at week 24) compared to those who began treatment after release (25% were still in treatment at week 4, 25% at week 8 and 15% at week 24).