@article{ref1,
title="Long-term follow-up study of community-based patients receiving XR-NTX for opioid use disorders",
journal="American journal on addictions",
year="2017",
author="Williams, Arthur Robin and Barbieri, Vincent and Mishlen, Kaitlyn and Levin, Frances R. and Nunes, Edward V. and Mariani, John J. and Bisaga, Adam",
volume="26",
number="4",
pages="319-325",
abstract="Background and Objectives  Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is FDA-approved to prevent relapse in patients with Opioid Use Disorder. However little is known about long-term use among community-based outpatients.    Methods  Retrospective chart review and long-term follow-up survey among individuals (N = 168) who entered an outpatient XR-NTX trial between 2011 and 2015, during which participants were offered three monthly injections of XR-NTX at no cost. The survey consisted of 35 questions covering a total of four domains: (1) substance use; (2) treatment continuation; (3) barriers; and (4) attitudes.    Results  Fifty-seven respondents were successfully surveyed, including 50% of those initially receiving all three XR-NTX injections (&quot;study completers&quot;) in the parent study. Study completion was associated with superior outcomes and less likely relapse (defined as daily use), with a much greater time to relapse despite higher rates of concurrent non-opioid substance use. However the majority of participants discontinued treatment with XR-NTX at study completion, largely due to attitudes of &quot;feeling cured&quot; and &quot;wanting to do it on my own&quot; rather than external barriers such as cost or side effects.    Conclusion  Patients who initiate treatment with XR-NTX might benefit from anticipatory guidance and motivational techniques to encourage long-term adherence as many will experience internal barriers to continuation. Our findings are reassuring that few patients experience side effects or adverse events complicating the effectiveness or safety of long-term use of XR-NTX.    Scientific Significance  Among outpatients who successfully receive 3 monthly XR-NTX injections, many will prematurely discontinue treatment due to internal attitudes, such as &quot;feeling cured.&quot; (Am J Addict 2017;26:319-325)<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1055-0496",
doi="10.1111/ajad.12527",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12527"
}