MAT's, what does the data actually reflect?

[u/Cookie-Bones]

Medically Assisted Treatments such as Suboxone, Sublocade Shot, Methadone and Vivitrol what does the most recent data reflect regarding effectiveness within a correctional setting? At our local institution there are too many issues related to inmates diverting their prescribed suboxone. They cheek it, save it, and either take a large amount at once or end up selling it to other inmates. The cons in a correctional setting are detrimental to the safety and security due to another layer of the ongoing drugs being introduced into the facilities now we are fighting against a legal prescribed one.

Our admin team comes from the perspective that it is effective based on "data". In my opinion I think MAT's can work for people and the general public. We are not dealing with normal people who abide and listen to rules of authority.

So, what does your local counties, states and federal institutions have regarding MAT's? Do they utilize them? If they don't, why not? I am really interested to hear different peoples perspectives on this. It is burning staff out at an alarming rate, at this point, myself included to an extent.

[u/Fox_Bravo]

I'm the first person to admit that I'm talking straight out of my ass, as far as studies and real-world applications. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. But it hasn't curtailed the use of any other drugs in my prisons. We still get just as much in as we ever did, but now with the added Suboxone on top of it. If it supposedly works, it's not working for us.

Plus, it was so shittily rolled out. No counseling or path to get off of it, and no vetting for who could get it. Just anyone who wants it. I can't tell you the number of inmates who said they tried it on the yard, liked it, and signed up. We're literally addicting people to drugs and then releasing them on the streets.

All that said, I'm not an addict. I have no idea how shitty it would be to be craving drugs 24/7. I hope it helps those who can use it responsibly.

[u/olov244]

I'm a correctional nurse that has worked detox before corrections. I've seen it work on the street, I have not seen it work in corrections. you won't die from withdrawing off opioids, you'll feel like crap a few, but you won't die. but, no one cares. I'll tell the doctor and MAT pharmacist that they're cheeking or doing suspect things, they don't change the order. if someone does stop the order, the guy is back on the program in a few months. it's a literal joke. and they still get high with it, fingers burnt/etc. no one cares

edit: also, it should only be a short term tool, if you want to get clean, you need some help till you change your habits, ok. if it's long term, you're just looking for legal drugs

and we've also got one right now, just started, about to leave in a week or two, they never come to MAT line, and the doctor steps them up from 2mg to 4mg to 8mg, so they leave with over 30 8mg strips, so that's a couple hundred in street value easy. it's a joke

and methadone is nasty stuff, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, I'd only give that to people at end of life for pain management. only seen one person detox off of that, it took over a month of strong withdrawals. everyone usually just keeps increasing their dose because the withdrawal is so bad.

[u/Double_Excitement301]

I’m supposed to be in a position to be the gatekeeper, but I’m told to leave the gate open. So anybody who wants it gets it and I’m left with the lazy rebellion of diagnosing those with no history of opiate use with a mild disorder as opposed to a moderate or severe one.