Assessing Optimal XR-Buprenorphine Initiation Points in Jail

The goal of this study is to compare two approaches for commencing pharmacotherapy with injectable buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) among jail inmates: (1) at the time of admission or (2) shortly before release. A sample of eligible inmates with sentences of less than 180 days will be randomly assigned to (1) initiating extended-release buprenorphine (XR-B) treatment at the time of admission (n=80), or (2) initiating XR-B treatment within 30 prior to their scheduled release date (n=80). The groups will be compared with regard to (1) how likely they were to participate in treatment, (2) levels of in-jail opioid use (via post-release interviews), (3) continuation of pharmacotherapy and other OUD treatment in the community, and (4) levels of opioid use 4 and 12 weeks following discharge (self-report and incentivized voluntary urine tests).