Publications by authors named "R E Gicquelais"
Article Synopsis
- Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 in 2021 and 2022, with stigma surrounding substance use serving as a significant barrier to treatment and harm reduction, particularly in rural areas.
- A study involving over 2,600 opioid users from rural regions across ten states revealed that 6.6% had experienced a non-fatal overdose in the past month, with felt stigma being significantly linked to this increased risk.
- The findings highlight the need for stigma reduction initiatives and specialized services aimed at individuals facing high levels of stigma to potentially decrease the risk of overdose.
Background: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be cured by direct acting antivirals (DAA), uptake is not well characterized for people who inject drugs (PWID).
Methods: Among 1,130 participants of a community-based cohort of PWID with chronic HCV, we longitudinally characterized HCV treatment uptake and cure early (2014-2016) and later (2017-2020).
Results: Cumulative HCV treatment uptake increased from 4% in 2014 to 68% in 2020 and the percent with HCV viremia declined from nearly 100% to 33%.
Background: The United States is currently experiencing the worst epidemic of drug overdose in the country's history. We sought to understand whether changes in drug use behavior and access to prevention services during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to increased drug overdose.
Methods: We recruited adults with a history of injection drug use to complete an online survey during March through June 2021 to assess whether overdose experiences, drug use behaviors, and access to prevention services changed due to the pandemic.
Objective: Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) improves treatment retention and reduces illicit opioid use. A-CHESS is an evidence-based smartphone intervention shown to improve addiction-related behaviors. The authors tested the efficacy of MOUD alone versus MOUD plus A-CHESS to determine whether the combination further improved outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Smartphone apps to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) are increasingly available. Although many people with SUDs express interest in recovery support apps, few try them or use them long-term. Strategies like gamification and contingency management are increasingly being considered to sustain engagement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF