The role of hostels in supporting residents’ adherence to OST
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of hostels in supporting residents' adherence to opiate substitution treatment
IRAS ID
245288
Contact name
Martin Whiteford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
It is well established in the clinical and sociological literature that adherence to opiate substitution treatment, either with methadone or buprenorphine, is integral to the successful treatment of opioid dependence. When integrated with person-centred counselling and bespoke support services, opiate substitution treatment has been associated with reduced rates of illicit drug use, needle sharing and improved physical health, mental well-being and psychosocial functioning
Discussions with local commissioners and healthcare professionals in Liverpool indicate that there is considerable variation in the way in which hostels support residents to engage with and adhere to opiate substitution treatment. There is broad agreement that this variation in local policy and practice is mediated by (i) the complexity of residents support needs; (ii) staffing and training levels; (iii) access to specialist in-reach services; (iv) governance issues and (v) organisational ‘ethos’. As such, then, there is a need to explore and explain this complexity, so as to better understand the role played by hostels in supporting residents’ to access and sustain a methadone or buprenorphine prescription.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0525
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion