2023
Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17
Heimer R, Black A, Lin H, Grau L, Fiellin D, Howell B, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Becker W. Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 254: 111040. PMID: 38043226, PMCID: PMC10872282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medication treatmentsRelative riskOpioid overdose deathsIncidence rateMOUD treatmentOverdose deathsOpioid use disorder treatmentResults Incidence ratesRetrospective cohort studyDifferent treatment modalitiesPopulation-level effortsUse disorder treatmentFatal opioid poisoningsCohort studyOpioid poisoningTreatment modalitiesConclusion ExposurePoisoning deathsFatal overdosesTreatment exposureDisorder treatmentDeathTreatmentMethadoneRisk“It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model
Hill K, Dunham K, Grau L, Heimer R. “It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model. Harm Reduction Journal 2023, 20: 168. PMID: 37964261, PMCID: PMC10644636, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00898-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial ecological modelSupport needsHarm reduction workersHarm reduction programmingHarm reduction servicesThematic analysis approachProvision of supportStigmatized populationsMeans of supportReduction workersInterpersonal levelCommunity levelHarm reductionDay roleReduction servicesOverdose crisisReduction programmingStaff wellbeingRole-related stressorsRole-related stressFeelings of stressBoundary settingEmotional supportPotential supportIndividual levelTechnical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018
Marotta P, Hass A, Viera A, Doernberg M, Barbour R, Grau L, Heimer R. Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2023, 18: 43. PMID: 37420271, PMCID: PMC10329353, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00541-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGeographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019
Lu H, Crawford F, Gonsalves G, Grau L. Geographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019. Annals Of Epidemiology 2023, 79: 32-38. PMID: 36669599, PMCID: PMC10163838, DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.01.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2013
Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population.
Akselrod H, Grau LE, Barbour R, Heimer R. Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population. American Journal Of Public Health 2013, 104: 1713-21. PMID: 24134382, PMCID: PMC3990658, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301357.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusDrug use durationSubstance abuse treatmentB virusRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementDrug usersAbuse treatmentAdult injection drug usersSeroprevalence of HIVInjection drug usePotential risk factorsSignificant predictorsUse durationMultiple viral infectionsEffective harm reduction strategiesHarm reduction strategiesJustice involvementHCV seroprevalenceInjection useInterim analysisViral infectionDrug useSerological testsAssociations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA
Heimer R, Barbour R, Palacios WR, Nichols LG, Grau LE. Associations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 452-463. PMID: 23921583, PMCID: PMC3917972, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0572-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultConnecticutDrug UsersFemaleHarm ReductionHealth Services AccessibilityHumansInterviews as TopicLongitudinal StudiesMaleNeedle SharingPrevalenceResidence CharacteristicsRisk FactorsSocial EnvironmentSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersSuburban Health ServicesSuburban PopulationYoung AdultConceptsHarm reduction servicesInjection riskReduction servicesAbuse treatmentInjection drug useInjection drug usersRisky injection practicesPoor social supportDisadvantaged census tractsSubstance abuse treatmentDrug abuse treatmentPatterns of heroinRespondent-driven samplingHepatitis BInfluence of residenceSevere depressionOpioid overdosesSerological testingOverdose deathsGeneral populationInjection practicesDrug usersDrug useYounger ageRisk behaviors
2010
Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007
Green TC, Grau LE, Carver HW, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 115: 221-228. PMID: 21131140, PMCID: PMC3095753, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription opioidsOpioid typeIntoxication deathsRisk factorsDrug intoxication deathsHeroin-related deathsOpioid-related deathsFatal opioid overdoseChief Medical ExaminerOpioid intoxicationOpioid deathsDrug poisoningInjury deathsEpidemiologic trendsOpioid overdoseOpioidsDeath locationPrevention effortsDeathMedical examinersRegression analysisSignificant increasePublic healthEpidemiologyHeroin
2008
Economic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug Users
Hu Y, Grau LE, Scott G, Seal KH, Marshall PA, Singer M, Heimer R. Economic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug Users. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2008, 35: 25-32. PMID: 18541174, PMCID: PMC2483306, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2008.03.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsHBV vaccinationDrug usersHepatitis B vaccination coverageActive injection drug usersAcute HBV infectionHepatitis B infectionHepatitis B vaccineQuality-adjusted life yearsAbsence of vaccinationLocal health departmentsDifferent vaccination strategiesVaccination program costsB infectionHBV infectionB vaccineFirst doseVaccination scheduleVaccination coverageVaccination strategiesCost-saving strategyVaccination campaignHigh riskMedical costs
2005
Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange Programs
Grau LE, Bluthenthal RN, Marshall P, Singer M, Heimer R. Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange Programs. AIDS And Behavior 2005, 9: 495-504. PMID: 16237501, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-005-9020-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsHIV risk characteristicsC virus infectionHIV prevention messagesOnly psychosocial factorHepatitis BObservational studyVirus infectionDrug injectorsPsychosocial factorsInjection sitePrevention messagesRisk profilePsychosocial characteristicsReported historyFuture interventionsStudy sampleIDUsExchange programsProgram effectivenessHIVRisk characteristicsInfection
2004
Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities
Bluthenthal RN, Malik MR, Grau LE, Singer M, Marshall P, Heimer R, Team T. Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities. Addiction 2004, 99: 1136-1146. PMID: 15317634, DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00694.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research