June 8, 2021

Changes in Methadone Program Practices and Fatal Methadone Overdose Rates in Connecticut during COVID-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): public health practice

• A statewide survey of opioid treatment programs (OPTs) in Connecticut found no increases in methadone-involved fatalities relative to other opioid-involved fatalities, despite dramatic changes in practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of multiple programmatic changes, the percentage of patients receiving 28-day take-home doses for methadone treatment increased from 0.1% to 17% from July to August 2020, 14-day take-home doses increased from 14% to 27%, and the percent receiving one or no take-home doses decreased from 38% to 10%. 

Brothers et al. (Apr 28, 2021). Changes in Methadone Program Practices and Fatal Methadone Overdose Rates in Connecticut during COVID-19. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108449