2024
Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures
Kim J, Lee J, Thornhill T, Dennett J, Lu H, Howell B, Grau L, Fiellin D, Heimer R, Gonsalves G. Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e240209. PMID: 38376839, PMCID: PMC10879949, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleOpioid-Related DisordersTransportationTravelConceptsTransit travel timeAccessibility metricsTravel timeTravel componentsAccessibility scoresTransportation burdenTravel burdenOut-of-vehicleComponents of travelConventional accessibility measuresSpatial regression modelsTravel time measurementsPublic transitTransit schedulesAccessibility measuresDeparture timeTravel time analysisTrip durationTravelOperating hoursTime analysisCross-sectional studyOpioid use disorderPolicy recommendationsDecision-making
2023
Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17
Heimer R, Black A, Lin H, Grau L, Fiellin D, Howell B, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Becker W. Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 254: 111040. PMID: 38043226, PMCID: PMC10872282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidBuprenorphineConnecticutDrug OverdoseHumansMethadoneOpiate OverdoseOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersRetrospective StudiesConceptsNon-medication treatmentsRelative riskOpioid overdose deathsIncidence rateMOUD treatmentOverdose deathsOpioid use disorder treatmentResults Incidence ratesRetrospective cohort studyDifferent treatment modalitiesPopulation-level effortsUse disorder treatmentFatal opioid poisoningsCohort studyOpioid poisoningTreatment modalitiesConclusion ExposurePoisoning deathsFatal overdosesTreatment exposureDisorder treatmentDeathTreatmentMethadoneRiskTechnical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018
Marotta P, Hass A, Viera A, Doernberg M, Barbour R, Grau L, Heimer R. Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2023, 18: 43. PMID: 37420271, PMCID: PMC10329353, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00541-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidConnecticutHumansJailsMaleMethadoneOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPrisoners
2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2011
Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine
Heimer R, Dasgupta N, Irwin KS, Kinzly M, Harvey AP, Givens A, Grau LE. Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine. Addictive Behaviors 2011, 37: 346-349. PMID: 22138379, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAddiction Severity IndexBrief Pain InventoryChronic painOpioid abuseBPI scoresMisuse of opioidsCommon co-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatment programsCommunity-based sampleCo-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatmentStreet-recruited sampleOrder of onsetRespondent-driven samplingPain InventoryPain managementIllicit opioidsOpioid misuseRegular physicianOpioid abusersDaily livingPainDrug misusePrior monthTreatment program
2010
Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007
Green TC, Grau LE, Carver HW, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 115: 221-228. PMID: 21131140, PMCID: PMC3095753, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription opioidsOpioid typeIntoxication deathsRisk factorsDrug intoxication deathsHeroin-related deathsOpioid-related deathsFatal opioid overdoseChief Medical ExaminerOpioid intoxicationOpioid deathsDrug poisoningInjury deathsEpidemiologic trendsOpioid overdoseOpioidsDeath locationPrevention effortsDeathMedical examinersRegression analysisSignificant increasePublic healthEpidemiologyHeroin[The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections].
Iliuk R, Krupitskiĭ E, Torban M, Kozlov A, Blinnikova K, Heimer R, Green T, Grau L. [The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections]. S S Korsakov Journal Of Neurology And Psychiatry 2010, 110: 33-43. PMID: 21322146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAnalgesics, OpioidDrug OverdoseFemaleHumansInjectionsMaleOpioid-Related DisordersYoung AdultConceptsOpioid overdose riskMore health problemsNonfatal overdosesRole of alcoholDrug injectionOverdose riskEarly diagnosisComorbid disordersOverdose preventionSomatic disordersHealth problemsOverdoseLonger abstinenceMental disordersOverdose situationsDeath casesDisordersSufficient helpOverdosesAdditional predictorsFamily psychotherapyDrug qualityHigher numberDiagnosisAbstinence
2008
Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia
Green TC, Grau LE, Blinnikova KN, Torban M, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov A, Heimer R. Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2008, 20: 270-276. PMID: 18774283, PMCID: PMC2696401, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug usersRisk behaviorsIntervention feasibilityOpioid overdosesModerate-risk behaviorAbstinence-based treatmentMost drug usersOpioid injectorsSuboptimal responseOverdose response trainingTreatment modalitiesCommon causeOverdose riskNaloxone distributionOverdose mortalityModifiable aspectsAmbulance staffRisk environmentOverdosesTreatment providersMortalityStructural interventionsKey informant interviewsMore ambulancesIntervention
2007
Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”?
Grau LE, Dasgupta N, Harvey A, Irwin K, Givens A, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”? American Journal On Addictions 2007, 16: 166-173. PMID: 17612819, DOI: 10.1080/10550490701375293.Peer-Reviewed Original Research