Overcoming Challenges to Initiation of Extended-Release Naltrexone for Treating Opioid Use Disorder: Findings from the HEAL-Initiative NIDA Clinical Trials Network SWIFT Trial

This session will provide an overview of the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of XR-naltrexone in the treatment of opioid use disorder. It will address the various challenges that community-based treatment programs face in implementing XR-naltrexone, including barriers related to patient initiation and provider training. Additionally, the presentation will describe a rapid initiation procedure for XR-naltrexone in patients actively using opioids, that has been shown to reduce the time to treatment initiation while maintaining safety and efficacy. This approach aims to improve access to and utilization of this important treatment option within community settings.