Innovations in Treatment for Drug Abuse: Solutions to a Public Health Problem

Abstract

Key Words treatment of illicit drug uses Abstract Illicit drug use is an important public health problem with broad social costs. The low effectiveness of prevention efforts leaves treatment of drug dependence as one of the most powerful means of fighting illicit drug use. Treatment reduces drug use and crime and increases individuals' functioning. However, programs that treat drug dependence have high dropout rates and low completion rates. In addition, some individuals continue to use drugs while in treatment, and relapse is common. Furthermore, only a fraction of those who need treatment receive it. Recently, there have been important innovations that reduce barriers and increase effectiveness of treatment. These innovations include new pharmacological agents, novel counseling strategies, promising ways to motivate, and treatment in new settings. This paper describes standard treatments and recent innovations designed to increase (a) effectiveness of treatment, (b) motivation to seek care, (c) access, (d ) retention, and (e) cost-effectiveness. We provide criteria on how these innovations should be evaluated in order to determine which should be adopted, funded, and transferred to existing and future treatment programs.

The price elasticity of demand for heroin: Matched longitudinal and experimental evidence

“…Given the substantial costs involved in efforts to reduce the supply of heroin so as to increase heroin prices, this potentially suggests that policy responses with the goal of reducing the participation with heroin might consider alternative strategies that do not directly target price, and therefore may be more cost-effective. Examples include local market enforcement strategies that influence the search cost of obtaining heroin (Galenianos, Pacula and Persico, 2012) and expanding access to effective treatment (Sindelar and Fiellin, 2001; Rydell, Caulkins and Everingham, 1996). …”

A systematic review of interventions for co-occurring substance use disorder and borderline personality disorder

“…All five studies experienced difficulties retaining participants in treatment. Substance users are known to have poor retention in treatment (Sindelar & Fiellin, 2001), and treatment retention is essential for achieving positive outcomes among both SUD and BPD populations (Zanarini, Frankenburg, Hennen, & Silk, 2003).…”

Buprenorphine diffusion: the attitudes of substance abuse treatment counselors

“…To date, a variety of psychosocial techniques and pharmacological approaches have been tested for their effectiveness and are available for use in community-based treatment settings (Ling & Smith, 2002;Magura, Schildhaus, Rosenblum, & Gastfriend, 2002; National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 1999;Sindelar & Fiellin, 2001). Buprenorphine is a relatively recently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for the treatment of opiate addiction (Fudula et al, 2003).…”