Differences in receipt of opioid agonist treatment and time to enter treatment for opioid use disorder among specialty addiction programs in the United States, 2014-17

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226349
• Publication Date: 2019-12-12T13:29:51Z
• Authors: Justin C. Yang; Andres Roman-Urre...; Carol Brayne
• Keywords: Receipt; Odds; Specialty; Scrutiny

Background Access to adequate treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) has been a high priority among American policymakers. Elucidation of the sociodemographic and institutional differences associated with use, or lack thereof, agonist therapy (OAT) provides greater clarity on who receives OAT. Timely access care is further consideration bears scrutiny as well. Methods We draw upon data from Treatment Episode Data Set—Admissions (TEDS-A) analyse relationship between characteristics receipt treatments time waiting enter treatment. Results Estimates logistic regression models highlight certain groups which show lower odds OAT, including those in precarious housing arrangements, unemployed not otherwise labor force, referred by drug abuse providers, educational institutions, employers, criminal justice system. Groups showed higher over week included were separated, divorced, widowed, working part-time, Conclusion Given efficacy OAT adverse outcomes long times, coordinated effort needed understand why these persist how they may be addressed through appropriate policy responses.