Nat Wright1, Oscar D'Agnone2, Peter Krajci3, Richard Littlewood4, Hannu Alho5, Jens Reimer6, Carlos Roncero7, Lorenzo Somaini8, Icro Maremmani9. 1. University of Leeds, UK. 2. Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 3. Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Department of Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, Norway. 4. applied strategic, Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London SE1 2SX, UK. 5. University of Helsinki, 0014 Helsinki, Finland. 6. Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martini Strasse, Germany. 7. Head, Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Vall d'Hebron Hospital - Public Health Agency, Barcelona (ASPB), Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. CIBERSAM. Barcelona, Spain. 8. Addiction Treatment Centre, Cossato 13836, Biella, Italy. 9. University of Pisa, Via Bonnano, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Opioid dependence treatment, comprising opioid substitution treatment (OST) and psychosocial intervention, is accepted to improve outcomes in opioid addiction for both the individual and public health. OST medication such as methadone or buprenorphine may be misused or diverted. This results in failure to recover from addiction, increased crime and the spread of blood-borne viruses. Worldwide, attempts to address misuse and diversion have been proposed and implemented with varying impact. METHODS: A structured, expert-led process recommended the most impact. As an initial step, a broad range of strategies were defined, and a systematic review of published literature identified 37 highly relevant sources of evidence. Experts reviewed this evidence and ranked the list of strategies for effectiveness and ease of implementation, based on their clinical experience. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Three groups of strategies to address misuse or diversion are defined, depending on impact (effectiveness and ease of implementation). Preferred strategies include the promotion of access to treatment and the use of product formulations less likely to be misused. However, additional data and innovative approaches to address this complex problem are needed.
BACKGROUND: Opioid dependence treatment, comprising opioid substitution treatment (OST) and psychosocial intervention, is accepted to improve outcomes in opioid addiction for both the individual and public health. OST medication such as methadone or buprenorphine may be misused or diverted. This results in failure to recover from addiction, increased crime and the spread of blood-borne viruses. Worldwide, attempts to address misuse and diversion have been proposed and implemented with varying impact. METHODS: A structured, expert-led process recommended the most impact. As an initial step, a broad range of strategies were defined, and a systematic review of published literature identified 37 highly relevant sources of evidence. Experts reviewed this evidence and ranked the list of strategies for effectiveness and ease of implementation, based on their clinical experience. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Three groups of strategies to address misuse or diversion are defined, depending on impact (effectiveness and ease of implementation). Preferred strategies include the promotion of access to treatment and the use of product formulations less likely to be misused. However, additional data and innovative approaches to address this complex problem are needed.
Authors: Michael Frost; Genie L Bailey; Nicholas Lintzeris; John Strang; Adrian Dunlop; Edward V Nunes; Jakob Billeskov Jansen; Lars Chemnitz Frey; Bernd Weber; Paul Haber; Sonia Oosman; Sonnie Kim; Fredrik Tiberg Journal: Addiction Date: 2019-06-03 Impact factor: 6.526