Seeking help for an addiction?

Addiction Advisor .co.uk is the leading online provider of free medical information about drug and alcohol addiction issues. You can receive independent, expert advice on addictions rehab and treatment by telephoning Addiction Advisor on 0845 370 0102

 

 

Study will seek to break cycle of chemical dependence and incarceration

After serving time, prisoners battling heroin addiction, mental illness and HIV face many challenges as they re-enter society. As part of an effort to make this transition easier on both the prisoner and the community, researchers at the Yale University AIDS Program will study HIV prevention and drug treatment in soon-to-be released prisoners in Connecticut and Malaysia.

"Successful programmes are urgently needed to break the cycle of chemical dependence and incarceration," said principal investigator of the two grants, Frederick L. Altice, M.D., professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine. "Prisoners with drug dependence have high rates of incarceration, recidivism and are at high risk for transmitting HIV. These studies are designed to take a broader look at extending the benefits that prisoners received during incarceration."

The project is the first of its kind to be done outside of the United States on prisoners with opioid dependence. Altice and a multidisciplinary team from the University of Connecticut and the University of Malaysia will conduct a randomised controlled trial to compare the benefits of methadone and/or a specially designed HIV prevention method called Holistic Health Recovery Program, which incorporates both risk reduction and access to HIV care. It builds upon previous work in Connecticut that was funded by NIDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, CHOICES, will focus on inmates in New Haven, and Hartford, Connecticut. The unique, comprehensive care model addresses relapse to heroin use, severe mental illness, homelessness and risky HIV behaviours. "There has recently been a sea change as prison systems grapple with these problems and consider developing and testing programs like CHOICES to find solutions that target the needs of some of the most challenging populations," said Altice.

The researchers have previously demonstrated that even when prisoners received effective treatment in the prison setting, many of the health benefits were lost within three months after release. "Prisoners suddenly released to the community with two weeks of medications and a medical referral may find the health insurance they had prior to incarceration has been discontinued," said Altice. "In many cases, it may take weeks to months to regain the health entitlements."

Altice and his team will adapt evidence-based techniques that have worked in community settings for inmates nearing release-to stabilise the lives of those at high risk for addiction and for contracting and spreading HIV. All previous heroin users will receive buprenorphine, a treatment for opioid dependence Altice used with successful results for released HIV positive prisoners.

Additionally, a money manager will help each prisoner create a budget plan that reduces impulsive spending, especially on drugs. This portion of the study builds on work by fellow co-investigator, Marc Rosen, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale. A community outreach team will help prisoners stick to psychiatric treatment and medical care. These tactics, successful with mentally ill patients are now being adapted for released prisoners with substance abuse problems by the Yale team of investigators.

"Results from the CHOICES study will help inform public health professionals about how best to create prison-release programs for particularly challenging populations," said Altice. Other investigators on the grants include Michael Copenhaver from the University of Connecticut and Adeeba Kamarulzaman, M.D., and Hussain Habil, M.D., from the University of Malaysia.

Article originally published on 16/12/2008 by DryOutNow.com, the alcohol specific website for Addiction Advisor

 

 

 

Other Addictions Policy Articles

• Pablo and FRANK - the new cocaine campaign ...... read
• Cannabis upgraded to Class B drug ...... read
• DrugScope welcomes report on 'neglected issue' of prescription and over-the-counter medication depen ...... read
• Tougher health and safety law demands tougher drugs policies, says drug testing company ...... read
• Time's up for irresponsible drink deals ...... read
• More action needed to tackle alcohol misuse, says BMA ...... read
• New report reveals that five million people participate in self help groups each year ...... read
• Make Scotlands roads safer, reduce drink driving limits, says BMA Scotland ...... read
• Study will seek to break cycle of chemical dependence and incarceration ...... read
• More advice on alcohol and healthy living from UK Department of Health ...... read
• Working towards recovery, Getting problem drug users into jobs, UKDPC report released ...... read
• More support needed for employers to hire addicts, says research ...... read
• Study shows link between number of alcohol retailers and youth injuries ...... read
• European project to study relationship between ADHD and substance abuse ...... read
• Two few treatments centres says former government adviser ...... read
• BMA Scotland recently published an action plan to tackle alcohol misuse ...... read
• WHO to hold public hearing on ways of reducing the harmful use of alcohol ...... read
• Public policy measures on alcohol price and availability would be more effective than clinical treat ...... read
• Licensing act could be affecting alcohol-related hospital admissions ...... read
• Free public lecture on teenage drug abuse in Northern Ireland ...... read