In-hospital illicit drug use, substance use disorders, and acceptance of residential treatment in a prospective pilot needs assessment of hospitalized adults with severe infections from injecting drugs

Hospitalization is a 'reachable moment' and critical opportunity to initiate evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. The ongoing in-hospital illicit drug use and high short-term mortality observed in this study contribute to the mandate to expand access to effective pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder and integrate it into health care settings.