Receipt of addiction treatment after nonfatal opioid overdose and risk of subsequent overdose: A retrospective cohort study

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

People who experience a nonfatal opioid overdose are at increased risk of subsequent overdose but is also a potential moment to intervene. In this cohort study, they used statewide data from Connecticut to assess differences in overdose outcomes in the year following a nonfatal overdose by treatment type received. Overall, 56% of patients received no treatment, while 35% received medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (25% buprenorphine and 11% methadone) and 21% received inpatient treatment (detox and/or extended inpatient). Both methadone (aHR=0.41) and buprenorphine (aHR=072) were associated with decrease in subsequent overdose, whereas neither detox nor prolonged inpatient treatment were associated with decreased overdose. These findings further support the importance of MOUD and the need to increase access to treatment in this high-risk population.

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