Client characteristics and service utilization with emergency department peer recovery specialists in a statewide opioid overdose prevention intervention

ABSTRACT

Opioid peer recovery service programs are important interventions to increase treatment engagement, adherence, and completion among clients. Little research has examined emergency department (ED) peer recovery programs, the utilization of these services, and patient characteristics. This study examined client data (N = 1690; Mean age = 36.05 ± 12.04) from New Jersey’s Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP). Between group analyses examined differences between repeated OORP service utilization and those new to OORP services on patient characteristics, primary substance of use, and mental health diagnosis. Exploratory logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine clinically relevant variables as predictors of repeated OORP service utilization. Sociodemographic differences were observed among those with repeated OORP service utilization, including a higher number of prior overdoses (3.87 ± 4.78) and a greater proportion to use heroin (93.34%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed several clinically important indicators associated with repeated OORP service utilization. Findings showed that several notable sociodemographic and clinical indicators associated with multiple OORP service utilization that can help support future prevention and clinic-intervention programs. These findings provide important information on participants at high risk for fatal overdose, and considerations for measured intervention services.

KEYWORDS:

• Peer recovery specialist
• opioid overdose prevention
• opioid use disorder
• substance misuse
• emergency department intervention

Highlights

• Opioid peer recovery service programs have been linked as an important intervention program to increase treatment engagement, adherence, and completion among clients.

• Little research has examined emergency department (ED) peer recovery programs, the utilization of these services, and patient characteristics.

• Repeated OORP service utilization was related to higher number of prior overdoses and the use of heroin and opioids.

• Results provide important information on those participants at high risk for fatal overdose, and considerations for measured intervention services.

• Results indicate a need for more options for prevention-intervention services.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to Rutgers University. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agency.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by a contract from the state of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to Rutgers University, Center for Prevention Science, School of Social Work.