Opioid Withdrawal Post Incarceration

This literature review attempts to provide a more complete understanding of the increasing opioid concern and its detrimental effects from withdrawal in incarcerated individuals. Opioid-related fatal overdoses will significantly decrease with the implementation of opioid treatment in jails and prisons nationwide. The incarcerated populations that are typically affected by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) include about 8.5% of Hispanics and Whites, and about 7.4% of Blacks. One solution involves Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with the use of opioid agonists, such as methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone. These medications offer a slow release of dopamine and can reduce the patient’s opioid withdrawal effects. However, fewer than 30 jails and prisons in the US offer Methadone-Maintenance Treatment (MMT). OUD is more prevalent among those who are incarcerated the majority of facilities restrict administering these treatment options. Due to the lack of treatment for opioid withdrawal, individuals intentionally harm themselves, say they are alcoholics, or claim they are mentally unstable in order to receive pain and/or sleep-inducing medication