Understanding the patient and supporter journey in cocaine use disorder.

Background: There is a paucity of literature describing experiences and journey of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) and supporters who care for them. The aim of this study was to understand and document the journey of individuals with current CUD, those in CUD remission, and supporters.

Methods: The online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum.

Patient perspectives on current and potential therapies and clinical trial approaches for cocaine use disorder.

Background: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is characterized by the continued use of cocaine despite serious impacts on life. This study focused on understanding the perspective of individuals with current CUD, individuals in CUD remission, and their supporters regarding current therapies, future therapies, and views on clinical trials for CUD.

Methods: The online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum.

Broadening access to naloxone: Community predictors of standing order naloxone distribution in Massachusetts.

Background: Naloxone is a prescription medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Allowing naloxone to be dispensed directly by a pharmacist without an individual prescription under a naloxone standing order (NSO) can expand access. The community-level factors associated with naloxone dispensed under NSO are unknown.

Characteristics of post-overdose public health-public safety outreach in Massachusetts.

Background: As a response to mounting overdose fatalities, cross-agency outreach efforts have emerged to reduce future risk among overdose survivors. We aimed to characterize such programs in Massachusetts, with focus on team composition, approach, services provided, and funding.

Methods: We conducted a two-phase cross-sectional survey of public health and safety providers in Massachusetts.

Clinical determinants associated with quality of life for people who live with HIV/AIDS: a Meta-analysis.

Background: During recent years, Quality of Life (QoL) is a significant assessment factor in clinical trials and epidemiological researches due to the advent of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become a manageable,chronic disease. With regards, more attention must be paid to the QoL of infected patients. Limited evidence exists on the impact of ART on QoL among HIV infected patients.

A scoping review of post opioid-overdose interventions.

Introduction: Nonfatal opioid overdose is a significant risk factor for subsequent fatal overdose. The time after a nonfatal overdose may provide a critical engagement opportunity to both reduce subsequent overdose risk and link individuals to treatment. Post-overdose interventions have emerged in affected communities throughout the United States (US).

Perspectives on rapid fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction practice among young adults who use drugs: a qualitative study.

Background: In 2016, drug overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in the United States, driven by a sixfold increase in deaths attributable to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS), used to detect fentanyl in illicit drugs, may help inform people who use drugs about their risk of fentanyl exposure prior to consumption. This qualitative study assessed perceptions of FTS among young adults.

Action-focused, plain language communication for overdose prevention: A qualitative analysis of Rhode Island's overdose surveillance and information dashboard.

Background: In 2015, the state of Rhode Island reported the fifth highest drug overdose mortality rate in the United States. In response to this crisis, Rhode Island created a statewide, publicly accessible drug surveillance and information system, www.PreventOverdoseRI.

Implementing peer recovery services for overdose prevention in Rhode Island: An examination of two outreach-based approaches.

Background: Rhode Island has the tenth highest rate of accidental drug overdose deaths in the United States. In response to this crisis, Anchor Recovery Center, a community-based peer recovery program, developed programs deploying certified Peer Recovery Specialists to emergency departments (AnchorED) and communities with high rates of accidental opioid overdoses (AnchorMORE).

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to describe AnchorED and AnchorMORE's activities and implementation process.

Prevalence and correlates of benzodiazepine use and misuse among young adults who use prescription opioids non-medically.

Background: Benzodiazepine use dramatically increases the risk of unintentional overdose among people who use opioids non-medically. However, little is known about the patterns of co-occurring benzodiazepine and opioid use among young adults in the United States.

Methods: The Rhode Island Young Adult Prescription Drug Study (RAPiDS) was a cross-sectional study from January 2015-February 2016.