2025
Spatial associations between alcohol detection in opioid overdose deaths and alcohol outlets
Viera A, Heimer R, Grau L. Spatial associations between alcohol detection in opioid overdose deaths and alcohol outlets. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2025, 271: 112659. PMID: 40184870, PMCID: PMC12050193, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112659.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOff-premise alcohol outletsNearest alcohol outletAlcohol outletsOpioid overdose deathsSpatial distribution of alcohol outletsSubstance use patternsDistribution of alcohol outletsDensity of alcohol outletsOverdose deathsDepressive effects of opioidsAlcohol outlet densityEffects of opioidsCensus tract levelAssociated with increased oddsOverdose riskCentral nervous systemOutlet densityTract levelCensus tractsDepressant effectCommunity investmentOpioidSocial vulnerabilityAlcoholNervous system
2024
Prescription Opioid Dose Change Before Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose.
Kazemitabar M, Howell B, Becker W, Lin H, Grau L, Heimer R, D'Onofrio G, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Black A. Prescription Opioid Dose Change Before Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs 2024, 85: 815-819. PMID: 38775307, DOI: 10.15288/jsad.24-00026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrescribed opioidsOpioid dose changesRapid dose increaseNon-HispanicOverdose deathsToxicological resultsNon-prescription opioidsBlack non-HispanicMorphine equivalentsOpioid therapyWhite non-HispanicDose changesDaily doseMean ageDispensed opioidsPrescription opioidsPrescribing patternsOpioidDose increaseOpioid overdose crisisIncreasing dosesStudy investigated patternsEffect of timeEffects of ageSecondary analysis
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 ResearchConceptsNon-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 treatmentDeathTreatmentMethadoneRiskXylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulteration
Quijano T, Crowell J, Eggert K, Clark K, Alexander M, Grau L, Heimer R. Xylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulteration. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2023, 120: 104154. PMID: 37574646, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction service providersDrug supplySedative-analgesic drugsFatal opioid overdosesOpioid overdose fatalitiesPresence of fentanylMedical examiner dataIllicit drug supplyInjection of xylazineFentanyl test stripsPrevention needsOpioid usersAnalgesic drugsOpioid overdosesOverdose deathsOverdose fatalitiesXylazineHealth threatSurvey of peopleDrugsSignificant predictorsFentanylConvenience surveyTest stripsTwo-thirdsConcordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis
Howell B, Black A, Grau L, Lin H, Greene C, Lee H, Heimer R, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin D, Becker W. Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 244: 109788. PMID: 36738634, PMCID: PMC9975083, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109788.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-mortem toxicologyOverdose deathsChief Medical ExaminerBenzodiazepine prescribingBenzodiazepine prescriptionsPrimary outcomePreventable deathsOpioid overdosesOpioidsAddiction servicesBenzodiazepinesMental healthStudy periodDeathMedical examinersConcordanceStatewide analysisSubstantial numberReceiptDaysDepartmentMedicationsToxicologyFentanylPrescribing
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