Long-term effects of medication-assisted treatment in opioid using offenders in German prisoners—treatment outcomes in prison and after release

The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of medication-assisted treatment after release from prison. We compared prisoners receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to prisoners receiving no MOUD, on a number of outcome variables. Self-reported drug use was confirmed with laboratory tests.

A sample of 247 prisoners in German prisons completed the European Addiction Severity Index shortly before release. Subjects were contacted again at 1, 3–6, and 12 months after release for telephone interviews.

Compared to no-MOUD subjects, MOUD subjects reported fewer illegal opioids and significantly fewer non-prescribed substitution medications. MOUD participants showed high treatment continuity through 12 months. Benefits of MOUD peaked at 3–6 months; effects were reduced at 12 months. Convergent validity of the self-report measure of drug use with laboratory drug screenings was satisfactorily high (~ 71% convergence).

For long-term sustainability of MOUD effects, additional psychosocial interventions are recommended.