The Optimal Management of Opioid Use Disorder: Leveraging Advances in Addiction Psychopharmacology to Enhance Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

Discharge after inpatient or institutional detoxification for opioids results in postdischarge relapse rates of up to 91%. Addiction psychopharmacology with buprenorphine, methadone, or long-acting injectable naltrexone, augmented with clonidine, can reduce postdischarge relapse rates to as low as 40%. Given the safety and efficacy of these medications when properly prescribed, prescribing clinicians have a duty to inform patients of these treatment options as part of the routine course of treatment and discharge planning. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2018;48(5):248–253.]