Diamorphine assisted treatment in Middlesbrough: a UK drug treatment case study

Poulter, H.; Moore, H.; Crow, R.; Ahmed, D.; Walker, T.

Abstract

Introduction: Diamorphine Assisted Treatment (DAT) is a treatment offer for individuals with Opioid Dependency (OD), who have failed to benefit from standard treatment model (Opioid Substitution Therapy [OST]). In the Middlesbrough DAT service, self-administered injectable synthetic heroin (diacetylmorphine) is offered to participants, twice daily under the supervision of medical staff in a controlled and safe environment. This case report evidences outcomes from the first operational DAT service in England outside of a research trial. Method: Descriptive quantitative data from participants who engaged within the first year of operation of DAT (n=14) is presented detailing engagement, harm reduction, and psychosocial outcomes, and criminality of the cohort. Results: The DAT service was associated with high engagement, a large reduction in positive toxicology screens for street heroin, reduced homelessness, increased engagement with psychosocial interventions and a substantial reduction of criminal offences. Poly-drug use (specifically the consumption of street tablets) impacted treatment engagement for a proportion of the sample. Conclusions: We present this work as an example of bottom-up policy making within the context of UK drug treatment and implications for practice discussed.

Citation

Poulter, H., Moore, H., Crow, R., Ahmed, D., & Walker, T. (2024). Diamorphine assisted treatment in Middlesbrough: a UK drug treatment case study. Journal of Substance Use, 29(1), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2022.2120433

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 30, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 13, 2022
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 14, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Substance Use
• Print ISSN: 1465-9891
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-9942
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 61-67
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2022.2120433
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1185824
• Related Public URLs: https://research.tees.ac.uk/en/publications/diamorphine-assisted-treatment-in-middlesbrough-a-uk-drug-treatme