@article{ref1,
title="Predictors of continued use of extended-released naltrexone (XR-NTX) for opioid-dependence: an analysis of heroin and non-heroin opioid users in Los Angeles County",
journal="Journal of substance abuse treatment",
year="2016",
author="Cousins, Sarah J. and Radfar, Seyed Ramin and Crèvecoeur-MacPhail, Desirée and Ang, Alfonso and Darfler, Kendall and Rawson, Richard A.",
volume="63",
number="",
pages="66-71",
abstract="Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is associated with an increased number of opioid-free days, improved adherence rates in substance use disorder treatment programs, and reduced cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. There is little evidence on the predictive associations between baseline characteristics of opioid-dependent patients and XR-NTX utilization. Some studies have demonstrated better pharmacotherapy adherence and/or retention rates among non-heroin opioid users compared to heroin users. This study examines predictive associations between characteristics of patients and XR-NTX utilization, as well as participants' urge to use opiates. Our findings suggest that XR-NTX may contribute to decreases in urges to use among both heroin and non-heroin opioid users. Non-heroin opioid users and heroin users were retained in XR-NTX treatment for comparable periods of time. However, those who identified as homeless, injected opioids (regardless of opioid-type), or were diagnosed with a mental illness were less likely to be retained in treatment with XR-NTX.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0740-5472",
doi="10.1016/j.jsat.2015.12.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2015.12.004"
}