2025
Receipt of addiction treatment after nonfatal opioid overdose and risk of subsequent overdose: A retrospective cohort study
Howell B, Black A, Lin H, Liberatore M, Greene C, D'Onofrio G, Heimer R, Grau L, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Becker W. Receipt of addiction treatment after nonfatal opioid overdose and risk of subsequent overdose: A retrospective cohort study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2025, 273: 112679. PMID: 40413965, PMCID: PMC12178112, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112679.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAddiction treatment modalitiesAddiction treatmentInpatient addiction treatmentOpioid overdose survivorsOverdose survivorsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid overdoseReceipt of methadoneOpioid withdrawalInpatient treatmentBenzodiazepine exposureNon-medicalAddictionAssociated with reduced riskNonfatal opioid overdoseAgonist treatmentNon-fatal opioid overdoseTreatment modalitiesAssociated with increased riskBenzodiazepinesIndividual level dataMethadoneRetrospective cohort studyOpioidBuprenorphineSpatial 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
Using qualitative system dynamics modeling to understand overdose bystander behavior in the context of Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Laws and identify effective policy options
Thompson R, Sabounchi N, Ali S, Heimer R, D’Onofrio G, Heckmann R. Using qualitative system dynamics modeling to understand overdose bystander behavior in the context of Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Laws and identify effective policy options. Harm Reduction Journal 2024, 21: 124. PMID: 38937759, PMCID: PMC11210010, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00990-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsConnecticutDrug OverdoseHarm ReductionHealth PolicyHumansLaw EnforcementNaloxoneNarcotic AntagonistsOpiate OverdoseConceptsSamaritan lawsGood Samaritan lawsBystander behaviorGroup model buildingFear of legal consequencesKnowledge of protectionResponses to opioid overdosesCriminal liabilityDrug arrestsLegal consequencesLaw enforcementNaloxone useLawStakeholder-engaged processOpioid overdoseHealth care providersFatal opioid overdoseSustainable system changeOpioid-related outcomesBystander experiencesSamaritanCare providersHarm reductionPotential bystandersPolicy determination
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 treatmentDeathTreatmentMethadoneRiskConcordance 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidBenzodiazepinesControlled SubstancesDrug OverdoseHumansOpiate OverdoseUnited StatesConceptsPost-mortem toxicologyOverdose deathsChief Medical ExaminerBenzodiazepine prescribingBenzodiazepine prescriptionsPrimary outcomePreventable deathsOpioid overdosesOpioidsAddiction servicesBenzodiazepinesMental healthStudy periodDeathMedical examinersConcordanceStatewide analysisSubstantial numberReceiptDaysDepartmentMedicationsToxicologyFentanylPrescribing
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