SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Availability of Medications for Substance Use Disorders in State Prisons in New Mexico

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This study examined how available medications for substance use disorders (SUDs) are across New Mexico state prisons, with the goal of informing hospitalists who may start these treatments during hospitalization but need to know whether they can be continued after discharge to prison.<br /><br />In August 2021, the authors contacted all 11 state prisons in New Mexico and asked whether they had a sharable formulary. If not, they specifically asked about availability of several common SUD medications: Suboxone, methadone, Sublocade, naltrexone injection, naltrexone pills, acamprosate, and the combination of bupropion plus injectable naltrexone for methamphetamine use disorder. Up to three contact attempts were made for each prison.<br /><br />The results showed major gaps and inconsistency. Three of the 11 prisons could not be reached at all. Among the prisons that did respond, few had all recommended SUD treatments available. Notably, none offered the recommended dual-medication treatment for methamphetamine use disorder using intramuscular naltrexone plus bupropion.<br /><br />The authors conclude that medications for SUDs are first-line treatments, but access in New Mexico prisons is variable and often limited. This creates a barrier for hospitalists considering initiating these medications in incarcerated patients. The study recommends closer collaboration between hospital teams, prison health officials, and other care partners to improve communication, understand available treatments, and expand access to evidence-based SUD care.

Asset Subtitle

Eileen Barrett

Meta Tag

Author List Eileen Barrett, Husayn Bin Bilal

Category Research

Concept Hospitalization

Concept Substance Use Disorder

Concept Evidence-Based Medication

Concept Medication Availability

Concept Medication Continuation

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization American Medical Women's Association

Presenting Author Eileen Barrett

Track Other

Keywords

substance use disorders

New Mexico prisons

medication access

hospitalists

formulary

Suboxone

methadone

naltrexone

acamprosate

evidence-based treatment

Hospitalization

Substance Use Disorder

Evidence-Based Medication

Medication Availability

Medication Continuation