Andrew J. Saxon, MD (University of Washington, WA Node), Dennis McCarty, PhD, (Oregon Health and Science University, OR/HI Node).

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The adoption of pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcohol and drug use disorders has progressed slowly despite the approval of new and effective medications. This paper begins with overviews of the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse and dependence, the costs of addiction to the nation, and the value of treatment services. The role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of addictive diseases is examined, and factors that affect the adoption and use of medications for alcohol and drug treatment are identified and discussed. CTN protocols CTN-0001 and CTN-0002 ("Buprenorphine/Naloxone versus Clonidine for Inpatient/Outpatient Detoxification") testing the effectiveness of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid dependence in new settings, are used as examples to illustrate physician and counselor training and mentorship strategies that may promote the adoption of medications in the treatment of alcohol and drug use disorders. The paper concludes with a discussion of barriers and ways to surmount them and foster greater use of medications in alcohol and drug treatment. (Article, Peer-Reviewed, PDF, English, 2007)

Keywords: Adoption of interventions | Buprenorphine | Buprenorphine/Naloxone | Community health services | CTN platform/ancillary study | Dissemination strategies | Pharmacological therapy | Opioid dependence | Opioid detoxification | Suboxone | Subutex | Pharmacology & Therapeutics (journal)

Document No: 193

Submitted by CTN Dissemination Librarians (5/17/2007).