Measure receipt of AUD drug and behavioral health services

Heavy drinking generally begins in adolescence and is a known risk factor for developing alcohol use disorders (AUD). Data from adult clinical trials suggest that providing young adults with evidence-based treatments for AUD may facilitate their participation in treatment and improve clinical outcomes.

But are those drugs being used when and where they are needed? They found that most adolescents diagnosed with AD did not receive drug therapy as part of their treatment despite recommendations from national agencies to consider drug use.

The team, led by Scott Hadland, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, director of adolescent and young adult medicine at the Massachusetts General for Children, recently published its findings. Youth Health Journal.

FDA-approved treatments for AUD include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. All of these have proven effective in maintaining AUD. abstinence Among adults with Australian dollars. Although these drugs are currently approved for adults 18 and older, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency recommends considering them for her youth under the age of 18.

To find out if and how these drugs are being used, the researchers looked at Medicaid claim data from 4.7 million young people ages 13 to 22 in 15 states. From that group, we identified approximately 14,000 young people who were diagnosed with AUD during the study period (2014–2019) and who met the inclusion criteria.

Of this group, 10,851 or 76.4% received treatment for AUD within 30 days of diagnosis. The majority, nearly 98%, received behavioral health services as treatment. Only 2% of young people received AUD medications alone or in combination with behavioral health treatments.

The researchers say the findings represent an opportunity to improve access to medicines for this vulnerable population.

Treating addiction as early as possible is very important to prevent lifelong problems, and not providing medication to young people with alcohol problems can be a missed opportunity. We know that without pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions may have limitations. efficacy Drug therapy can significantly reduce drinking in alcoholic adults in some patients. ”

Scott E. Hadland, Lead Study Author, Massachusetts General Hospital

“Although these three drugs are FDA-approved only for people over the age of 18, we have found that these drugs effectively reduce cravings for alcohol and are associated with fewer episodes of heavy drinking in this older adult. We know that it is,” Hadland points out. “Although clinical trials are urgently needed to evaluate the efficacy of these AUD drugs in adolescents under the age of 18, even young adults aged 18 to 22 in our study were less likely to benefit from treatment. Despite his important role, he received very little medication.”

Mr. Hadland is an international leader in educating other pediatricians and general practitioners on addressing youth mental health and substance use, helping policymakers and clinicians increase public access to alcoholism pharmacy. I believe that I play an important role in

The research team noted that potential strategies to increase drug use, especially among young adults where medication is recommended, include continuing education for clinicians and training in AUD screening, diagnosis and treatment in medical schools and residencies. It says that enhancement is included.

“Medications for alcohol use disorders are underutilized in all age groups,” emphasizes Dr. Hadland. “There is a need for increased drug addiction training for clinicians and improved reimbursement for drug and alcohol treatment to encourage clinicians to provide evidence-based treatment.”

Mr. Hadland is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. His lead author, Joel Earlywine, is a health policy analyst at Mathematica.

This study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).