Evidence Based Treatment for Substance Use Disorder is the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences. (National Institute of Health)
Screening, Brief Interventions and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach to helping clients discover their own desire to change unhealthy behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective means of treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. CBT focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions (such as thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) and their associated behaviors to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies that target solving current problems.
Relapse Prevention (RP) is a cognitive-behavioral approach to relapse with the goal of identifying and preventing high-risk situations such as unhealthy substance use, obsessive-compulsive behavior, risky sexual behavior, obesity, and depression.
Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) Therapy: DAAs are the cornerstone of hepatitis C treatment. They target specific steps in the HCV lifecycle, interrupting viral replication and leading to viral clearance. These medications are highly effective, with cure rates exceeding 95%.
Epclusa (Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir):
Mavyret (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir):
FDA-approved medications, to be used in conjunction with substance use disorder treatment, designed to assist in recovery. These medications include Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone.
Methadone: Methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain and opioid addiction. When used to treat severe pain, methadone is available as a tablet or oral solution. When used to treat opioid addiction, methadone usually comes in the form of a fruit-flavored drink. The powder is dissolved and taken orally once a day. When taken at the correct dose, methadone prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings without causing the person to feel high (euphoric) or sleepy. This lowers the harms associated with opioid misuse and gives people who have opioid use disorder a chance to stabilize their lives. (Center for Addiction and Mental Health Medication) At the beginning of treatment a person must attend a Methadone Maintenance Program daily for dosing. This medication has been proven to reduce the risk of overdose and death.
Buprenorphine (aka Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi): Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist medication. This medication activates the same receptors in the brain as any opioid, but only partly. Because its effects are long-lasting, it can be taken once a day or as a monthly or weekly injection to relieve cravings, prevent withdrawal, and restore normal functioning in someone with opioid use disorder. Because it is a partial agonist, it has a ceiling effect, meaning there is no added effect or benefit after that limit. The research on buprenorphine is robust, with multiple studies showing it reduces the risk of death by more than 50%, helps people stay in treatment, reduces the risk that they will turn to other opioids (like heroin), and improves quality of life in many ways. (Harvard Health) Physicians must complete a training course to prescribe this medication. Only 4% of physicians have completed the training course to prescribe this medication. This medication has been proven to reduce the risk of overdose and death.
Naltrexone (aka Vivitrol, ReVia) Naltrexone is an FDA-approved opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. Naltrexone blocks the effect of opioids and prevents opioid intoxication and physiologic dependence on people with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder). Naltrexone also modifies the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to suppress ethanol (alcohol) consumption. (National Institute of Health). Before a person can start taking ER naltrexone, they must be completely off opioids for seven to 10 days. This medication does NOT reduce the risk of overdose and death if a patient relapses, so it is especially important not to miss any injections.
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