Self-help groups and opioid use disorder treatment: An investigation using a machine learning-assisted robust causal inference framework.

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of participation in self-help groups on treatment completion among individuals undergoing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment. Given the suboptimal adherence and retention rates for MOUD, this research seeks to examine the association between treatment completion and patient-level factors. Specifically, we evaluated the causal relationship between self-help group participation and treatment completion for patients undergoing MOUD.

Investigation of Simulated Adherence in Long-Term Buprenorphine/Naloxone Treatment Patients.

Background: Buprenorphine is a medication that is used to treat opioid use disorder by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids. Patients with poor adherence are at higher risk of relapse and overdose. Providers often test adherence through urine testing but are not aware of simulated adherence, where patients may directly add buprenorphine to the urine samples.