Among individuals who are released from prison, opioid overdose is a leading cause of death with a risk more than ten-fold the general population. Although the epidemiology of opioid-related fatalities has been described, few studies have characterized both fatal and nonfatal opioid-related poisonings. The objective of this study was to estimate risk of fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose among adults released from prison.

 

Highlights:

• Justice-involved individuals have a high burden of addiction and overdose risk.
• Opioid overdose is markedly elevated after prison release.
• The risk of opioid overdose is particularly high in the first two weeks.
• In women, elevated overdose risk is mediated through greater mental health burden.

 

View Publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2949875923000218