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Overview of Medication Assisted

Treatment Options in the Ohio Adult Prison System

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Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Kara Sovacool - MHAS

John Sexten – MHAS

Kristine Edwards - DRC

Joe Thompson - DRC

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OHIO’S PRISON POPULATION �

Ohio’s Prison Population

Currently 45,138 I/P’s

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[March 2024]

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Releases - 18,015 (FY2023)

Ohio Pop. – 11,785,935 - Jul 2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau�KY Pop. – 4,526,154 - Jul 2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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�RECIDIVISM RATES�

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*ODRC Recidivism Report, 2021

Nationally = 49.7%

Ohio = 20.8%

Correctional Recovery Services SUD Treatment serves major part in lower recidivism rate

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CORRECTIONAL RECOVERY SERVICES TREATMENT PROGRAMS

    • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
    • Therapeutic Community Program(TC)
    • Brief Intervention Program (BIP)
    • SAMI Intensive Outpatient Program
    • SAMI Non-Intensive Program
    • Treatment Transfer Program
    • Starting Point Group Intervention
    • Recovery Dorm/Housing Unit

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  • Not All Programs Available at All Sites

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“My counselors listened to me. They had a positive energy and gave me a healthy perspective about life and what recovery should look like.” – Leo (Recovery Services Program Participant)

“To me, being enlightened about my criminal thinking errors was the most impactful part of treatment. Learning about my thinking and getting outside of my old ways made it all worthwhile.” - DaVaughn

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MEDICATION ASSISTED OPTIONS

1. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Naltrexone/Vivitrol

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  • Naltrexone blocks effects of alcohol and opioids. Makes opiate drugs or alcohol less desirable and help to avoid a relapse.

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  • Oral Naltrexone daily pill. Vivitrol a 1x/month injection. Both assist in treatment plan compliance.

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  • Blood levels of Vivitrol may remain more stable than levels of oral naltrexone.

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  • Either can help break dependence on habit-forming drugs – without running the risk to develop a secondary addiction.

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March 2024

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  • Vivitrol = 19
  • Oral Naltrexone = 267

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2. OPIATE TREATMENT PROGRAM (OTP)

• Induction Sites: ORW, CRC, LORCI, GCI 

• Delivery Sites: AOCI, DCI, FMC, LeCI, PCI, ToCI, WCI 

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• Vendor Administered OTP medication

• Liquid Methadone

• Sublingual Buprenorphine

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• MHAS Staff provide SUD Treatment and collaborate with ODRC Medical

• Focus on providing continuity of care throughout incarceration into community transition

MEDICATION ASSISTED OPTIONS

March 2024

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  • Methadone = 259
  • Buprenorphine = 383

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DEBUNKING MYTHS & THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Myths 

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Myth #1: Medication Assisted Therapy is Trading One Addiction for Another

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Myth #2: MAT Programs are Only For the Short-Term

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Myth #3: Medication Therapy Hinders Recovery

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Myth #4: MAT Programs Aren’t Any Better Than Abstinence-Based Programs

Benefits

  • MAT programs are effective when combined with a comprehensive individualized drug treatment plan and these programs reduce the risk of relapse and promote long-term recovery.

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  • Although effective in early recovery, medication assisted therapy also benefits individuals with substance use issues as they transition out of treatment. When combined with outpatient therapy and aid from community resources, medications help in sustaining recovery.

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  • In reality, MAT programs enhance recovery and improve quality of life. Additionally, these programs improve functioning and decrease risk of relapse.

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  • According to SAMHSA, medication assisted treatment programs contain solid research and are are backed by organizations such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the American Medical Association. Many substance treatment organization view MAT programs as a solid line of defense against opioid abuse.

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Medically Assisted Blog  4/5/18

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RELEASE ASSISTANCE OPTIONS�

Narcan at Release

AND

Fentanyl Test Strips

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Incarcerated Persons with a history of opioid use engaged with and offered the opportunity to receive a Narcan nasal spray kit prior to release. Kits include Fentanyl Test strips as well.

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Narcan nasal spray is used to treat an opioid overdose in an emergency. This medicine should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose.

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487 Kits in CY2023

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  • CTP offers a temporary benefit meant to provide support during the first year after release from prison.

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Community Transition Program - Recovery Support Services

  • Housing (Recovery, Permanent Supportive, Rapid)
  • Employment Services, Job Training and Education
  • Peer Recovery Supporter
  • Transportation
  • Life Skills
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Spiritual Support
  • Identification Fund
  • In-Reach

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Thank You!