Urine drug screens are frequently ordered for patients receiving addiction treatment. However, the results of these everyday tests can have outsized consequences for patients involved in the legal system. Here, we provide an overview of how drug testing is used in the legal system and how you can be an advocate for your patient.

Incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder are at an especially heightened risk of adverse outcomes.  The period immediately following release is a particularly vulnerable time, with a much elevated risk of fatal overdose. In this study, investigators report on the use of extended-release injectable buprenorphine in a correctional setting.

The period immediately following release from incarceration is associated with an elevated risk of overdose among those with opioid use disorder. In this randomized trial, researchers were able to show that long-acting injectable buprenorphine (Sublocade) is a feasible and effective treatment for this high-risk population.