Association between high-threshold practices and buprenorphine treatment termination

In a survey of 377 buprenorphine prescribers in Michigan, high-threshold practices such as requiring counseling as a condition for buprenorphine treatment and conducting drug testing during every in-office visit were associated with higher rates of treatment termination for patients receiving buprenorphine. Buprenorphine treatment continuity is critical to preventing overdose deaths amidst an intensifying national overdose crisis. State policy reforms encouraging practices to retain patients in treatment even if they do not strictly adhere to counseling recommendations and limiting drug testing to a clinically relevant frequency could improve overall patient engagement with buprenorphine treatment and save lives.

Published January 16, 2024

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