Assessment of Co-Occurring Substance Use During Opiate Treatment Programs in the United States

The effectiveness of opiate treatment programs (OTPs) can be significantly influenced by co-occurring substance use, yet there are no standardized guidelines for assessing the influence of co-occurring substance use on treatment outcomes. In this review, we aim to provide an overview on the status of the assessment of co-occurring substance use during participation in OTPs in the United States. We searched 4 databases—MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)—from database inception to November 2018 to select relevant publications on OTPs that assessed participants’ co-occurring substance use. We used a standardized protocol to extract study, intervention, and co-occurring substance use characteristics. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Of the 3,219 titles screened, 614 abstracts and 191 full-text original publications were assessed, leaving 85 eligible articles. Co-occurring substance use was most often assessed during opioid treatments using combined (pharmacological and behavioral) (n = 57 studies) and pharmacological (n = 25 studies) interventions. Cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and benzodiazepines were frequently measured, while amphetamines and tobacco were rarely assessed. Great variation existed between studies in the timing and measurement of co-occurring substance use, as well as definitions for substances and polysubstance/polydrug use. Inconsistencies in the investigation of co-occurring substance use make comparison of results across studies challenging. Standardized measures and consensus on research on co-occurring substance use is needed to produce the evidence required to develop personalized treatment programs for persons using multiple substances and to inform best-practice guidelines for addressing polydrug use during participation in OTPs.

The Association of Co-Occurring Substance Use and the Effectiveness of Opiate Treatment Programs by Intervention Type: A Systematic Review

This systematic review describes the influence of co-occurring substance use on the effectiveness of opiate treatment programs. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from database inception to November 28, 2018 to identify eligible opioid treatment studies in the United States that assessed the relationship between co-occurring substance use and treatment outcome (i.e., opioid abstinence and treatment retention). A total of 34 eligible studies were included. Overall, co-occurring substance use was associated with negative treatment outcomes regardless of intervention type. However, patterns varied by substance and intervention type. In particular, co-occurring use of cocaine or marijuana with opioids was associated with reduced treatment retention and opioid abstinence regardless of intervention type. Co-occurring use of amphetamines, compared to no use or reduced use of amphetamines, decreased treatment retention. Co-occurring use of alcohol was both positively and negatively associated with treatment outcomes. One study reported a significant positive association between sedative use and opioid abstinence. Generally, findings suggest that combined interventions reported better health outcomes compared to pharmacological or behavioral intervention studies alone. The findings of this review emphasize the need to comprehensively study and address co-occurring substance use to improve opiate treatment programs.

Opiate Crisis and Healthcare Reform in America: A Review for Nurses

On a daily basis in the United States, patients overdosing on opioids fill our emergency rooms, intensive care units, and, sadly, our cemeteries. Overdose and subsequent death from opioid addiction has reached astonishing numbers and death rates by opioid overdoses continue to rise annually. Nurses are in front line positions to provide assessment for patients with opioid use histories and subsequently connect them to resources that save lives. All nurses face the challenges of caring for patients with addiction issues and have the opportunity to change the stigma regarding addiction. Nurse engagement can influence positive outcomes when addicted individuals are reaching out for resources and treatment. This article reviews changes in opiate usage over time; related information in the Affordable Care Act; and other changes in federal, state and local policy that affect current opiate treatment. Also discussed are considerations for nurses to effect change and potential future policy. In conclusion, with the ever increasing numbers of individuals with opioid addiction, and insufficient availability of opiate treatment programs, our nation is in a race against time to positively impact and reverse this crisis.