Re-entry Needs Among a Population with Co-occurring Opioid Use and Mental Health Disorders in Massachusetts, USA Jails: Part of a National Plan to Address the Opioid Epidemic.

Abstract

Introduction.Studies show that the release from jail is a vulnerable transition for individuals with opioid use disorder re-entering their communities. Less is known about individuals with co-occurring mental health and opioid use disor-ders (COD), particularly their specific needs following release.Objectives.To describe the needs of people with COD within two weeks of release jail.Methods.Baseline data from 155 individuals with COD were collected within two weeks of release from jail across 9 counties in Massachusetts. Univariate analyses were conducted to determine ba-seline needs. Results.The majority ofparticipants were male (78.7%), White (64.5%), and non-Hispanic (75.5%). The most relevant needs among participants were employment (88.4% were unemployed), opioid overdose prevention (67.7% had at least one non-fatal opioid overdose), mental health symptoms (participants reported anxiety or tension an average of 8.9 days in the past 30 days), and trauma support/treatment (71.6% reported at least one traumatic event in their lifetime). Conclusions.Individuals with COD re-entering their communities have critical needs that must be addressed upon release.

Introducción.Estudios demuestran que el período después de que un individuo con desorden de uso de opioides sale de la cárcel es un período vulnerable. Poco se sabe sobre cuáles son las necesidades para personas que salen de la cárcel y tienen desórdenes concurrentes de salud mental y uso de opioides (COD). Objetivos.Describir las necesidades que presentan las personas con COD dentro de las dos semanas después de ser liberados de la cárcel. Metodología.Data de 155 individuos con COD fue recolectada dentro de las dos semanas posteriores a la liberación en 9 cárceles en Massachusetts. Se hicieron análisis univariados para determinar las necesidades. Resultados.La mayoría de los participantes eran hombres (78.7%), blancos (64.5%), y no hispanos (75.5%). Las necesidades más relevantes eran empleo (88.4% estaban desempleados), prevención de uso de opioides (67.7% dijeron haber tenido una sobredosis no mortal), salud mental (los participantes reportaron ansiedad o tensión un promedio de 8.9 días en los últimos 30 días) y apoyo sobre trauma (71.6% reportaron por lo menos una experiencia traumática en la vida). Conclusiones.Individuos con COD que están reingresando a sus comunidades presentan necesidades críticas que deben ser tratadas de forma rápida.