TY - JOUR
AU - Gaeta Gazzola
AU - L. M. S. Oberleitner
AU - K. Hoffman
AU - A. Eller
AU - L. M. Madden
AU - R. Marcus
AU - D. Oberleitner
AU - M. Beitel
AU - E. Thompson
AU - X. Zheng
AU - D. T. Barry
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Community correctional experiences among individuals receiving methadone treatment (MT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) are poorly understood. We qualitatively investigated perceptions of community corrections and treatment experiences among individuals with criminal-legal system experience currently receiving outpatient MT. METHODS: From January to December 2017, we recruited 42 individuals with history of criminal-legal system involvement enrolled in outpatient MT at a low-barrier nonprofit organization operating multiple clinics in Connecticut. An experienced qualitative research team conducted one-to-one, in-person, semistructured interviews about incarceration and treatment experiences with individuals receiving MT. Participants completed a demographics survey. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, de-identified, and independently coded using NVivo. RESULTS: Participants described the community corrections system as restrictive and abstinence-focused. Most participants described positive perceptions of and experiences with community corrections officers (CCOs), yet described negative perceptions of and experiences with the community corrections system overall. Participants perceived CCOs to have limited knowledge of OUD and MT. Participants described a range of CCO judgment toward their OUD, with some appearing understanding and nonjudgmental while others were perceived to have stigma and prejudice. Few participants noted assistance from CCOs with seeking MT or community-based substance use disorder care. Some participants desired improved treatment facilitation, but viewed forced or coercive treatment negatively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study to examine community corrections experience among people receiving outpatient medication for OUD. While individuals receiving MT have negative experiences with the community corrections system, they perceive individual CCOs positively. Interventions addressing gaps in CCOs knowledge of OUD and MT are needed to optimize support for individuals on probation or parole with OUD. Provision of OUD treatment facilitation appears desirable to some individuals in community supervision.
AD - The APT Foundation Inc., New Haven, CT, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.; Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Langone Health/New York Health and Hospitals Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA.; Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA.; School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.; Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.; Department of Psychology, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, USA.; Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.; Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, NJ, USA.; Yale College, New Haven, CT, USA.
AN - 38551080
BT - Subst Use Addctn J
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities
DA - Mar 29
DO - 10.1177/29767342241238837
DP - NLM
ET - 20240329
JF - Subst Use Addctn J
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Community correctional experiences among individuals receiving methadone treatment (MT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) are poorly understood. We qualitatively investigated perceptions of community corrections and treatment experiences among individuals with criminal-legal system experience currently receiving outpatient MT. METHODS: From January to December 2017, we recruited 42 individuals with history of criminal-legal system involvement enrolled in outpatient MT at a low-barrier nonprofit organization operating multiple clinics in Connecticut. An experienced qualitative research team conducted one-to-one, in-person, semistructured interviews about incarceration and treatment experiences with individuals receiving MT. Participants completed a demographics survey. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, de-identified, and independently coded using NVivo. RESULTS: Participants described the community corrections system as restrictive and abstinence-focused. Most participants described positive perceptions of and experiences with community corrections officers (CCOs), yet described negative perceptions of and experiences with the community corrections system overall. Participants perceived CCOs to have limited knowledge of OUD and MT. Participants described a range of CCO judgment toward their OUD, with some appearing understanding and nonjudgmental while others were perceived to have stigma and prejudice. Few participants noted assistance from CCOs with seeking MT or community-based substance use disorder care. Some participants desired improved treatment facilitation, but viewed forced or coercive treatment negatively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study to examine community corrections experience among people receiving outpatient medication for OUD. While individuals receiving MT have negative experiences with the community corrections system, they perceive individual CCOs positively. Interventions addressing gaps in CCOs knowledge of OUD and MT are needed to optimize support for individuals on probation or parole with OUD. Provision of OUD treatment facilitation appears desirable to some individuals in community supervision.
PY - 2024
SN - 2976-7342
SP - 29767342241238837
ST - Perceptions of Community Corrections and Treatment Experience: A Qualitative Study Among People With Incarceration Histories Receiving Outpatient Methadone Treatment
T1 - Perceptions of Community Corrections and Treatment Experience: A Qualitative Study Among People With Incarceration Histories Receiving Outpatient Methadone Treatment
T2 - Subst Use Addctn J
TI - Perceptions of Community Corrections and Treatment Experience: A Qualitative Study Among People With Incarceration Histories Receiving Outpatient Methadone Treatment
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1177/29767342241238837
VO - 2976-7342
Y1 - 2024
ER -