Patient wellbeing and medical ethics require safe, effective opioid withdrawal therapy for newly incarcerated people dependent on opioids before admission. Many correctional facilities may be hesitant to use opiates such as methadone or buprenorphine. Research shows that off-label gabapentin and clonidine can be used to effectively control acute opioid withdrawal. This presentation describes the successful treatment regimen and diversion concerns.

Educational objectives

Describe a novel nonopioid treatment for opiate withdrawal in a correctional facility

Compare a nonopioid protocol vs. opioid withdrawal treatment

Review how to transition people who have been withdrawn from opioids from corrections safely back to the community

Level: Intermediate