Maintaining methadone treatment during short-term incarceration

Background: Approximately 20% of incarcerated individuals have a history of opiate use in the US. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is highly effective treatment for opioid addiction and the most utilized treatment nationally. Individuals who are jailed while enrolled in community methadone treatment undergo immediate or gradual withdrawal from methadone based on the protocols of each correctional facility . Methods: We recruit individuals at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) who are enrolled in community methadone treatment at the time of their incarceration. They are randomized to be maintained on a stable dose of methadone during short term incarceration (< 6 months) or detoxed as is standard procedure at the RIDOC. Participants are followed for one year post release, with interviews, clinic chart reviews and correctional record review at 1, 6 and 12 months post release. Preliminary Results: Between June 2010 and January 2012 we enrolled 118 participants – 60 were maintained and 58 underwent detoxification. 93 men (79%), 90 White (76%), 24 Latino (20%). 110 have been released from incarceration (56 maintenance and 54 detox). 56 of 56 (100%) maintenance participants attended MMT post release. 37 of 54 (69%) detox participants attended MMT post release. Conclusions: Individuals who are maintained on methadone are more likely to return to treatment post release. Other outcomes are time to treatment, time to relapse, retention in treatment, recidivism, and HIV risk behaviors at 1 month post release.