Substance Use Disorder Outcomes Research Articles

Association of Alternative Payment and Delivery Models With Outcomes for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Health care spending in the United States continues to grow. Mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUDs) are prevalent and associated with worse health outcomes and higher health care spending; alternative payment and delivery models (APMs) have the potential to facilitate higher quality, integrated, and more cost-effective MH/SUD care. To systematically review and summarize the published literature on populations and MH/SUD conditions examined by APM evaluations and the associations of APMs with MH/SUD outcomes. A literature search of MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Business Source was conducted from January 1, 1997, to May 17, 2019, for publications examining APMs for MH/SUD services, assessing at least 1 MH/SUD outcome, and having a comparison group. A total of 27 articles met these criteria, and each was classified according to the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network's APM framework. Strength of evidence was graded using a modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine framework. The 27 included articles evaluated 17 APM implementations that spanned 3 Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network categories and 6 subcategories, with no single category predominating the literature. APMs varied with regard to their assessed outcomes, funding sources, target populations, and diagnostic focuses. The APMs were primarily evaluated on their associations with process-of-care measures (15 [88.2%]), followed by utilization (11 [64.7%]), spending (9 [52.9%]), and clinical outcomes (5 [29.4%]). Medicaid and publicly funded SUD programs were most common, with each representing 7 APMs (41.2%). Most APMs focused on adults (11 [64.7%]), while fewer (2 [11.8%]) targeted children or adolescents. More than half of the APMs (9 [52.9%]) targeted populations with SUD, while 4 (23.5%) targeted MH populations, and the rest targeted MH/SUD broadly defined. APMs were most commonly associated with improvements in MH/SUD process-of-care outcomes (12 of 15 [80.0%]), although they were also associated with lower spending (4 of 8 [50.0%]) and utilization (5 of 11 [45.5%]) outcomes, suggesting gains in value from APMs. However, clinical outcomes were rarely measured (5 APMs [29.4%]). A total of 8 APMs (47.1%) assessed for gaming (ie, falsification of outcomes because of APM incentives) and adverse selection, with 1 (12.5%) showing evidence of gaming and 3 (37.5%) showing evidence of adverse selection. Other than those assessing accountable care organizations, few studies included qualitative evaluations. In this study, APMs were associated with improvements in process-of-care outcomes, reductions in MH/SUD utilization, and decreases in spending. However, these findings cannot fully substitute for assessments of clinical outcomes, which have rarely been evaluated in this context. Additionally, this systematic review identified some noteworthy evidence for gaming and adverse selection, although these outcomes have not always been duly measured or analyzed. Future research is needed to better understand the varied qualitative experiences across APMs, their successful components, and their associations with clinical outcomes among diverse populations and settings.

Increasing Engagement in Post-Withdrawal Management Services Through a Practice Bundle and Checklist.

Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) who engage in post-withdrawal management (or detoxification) continuing care are more likely to remain drug free or sober and less likely to be incarcerated or die of overdose. Yet, just 21-35% of individuals receiving emergency withdrawal management services receive continuing care. This deficiency is occurring, while overdose rates are high, and limited evidence exists on how to improve this vital transition. To address this gap, withdrawal management service providers employed the LINK Care Transition Implementation System to improve withdrawal management to continuing care transition rates. This system integrates three evidence-based implementation science approaches: (a) practice bundle, (b) process checklist, and (c) standardized organizational change model. This integrated implementation approach improved withdrawal management to continuing care transition rates from 20 (baseline average) to 43% (post-intervention) in (n= 6) Wisconsin withdrawal management centers. This study provides insights into how to improve transitions to enhance SUD care and outcomes.

Chronic non-cancer pain among adults with substance use disorders: Prevalence, characteristics, and association with opioid overdose and healthcare utilization

BackgroundChronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) among patients with substance use disorder (SUD) poses a risk for worse treatment outcomes. Understanding the association of CNCP with SUD is important for informing the need and potential benefits of pain assessment/management among those with SUDs. MethodsWe analyzed electronic health record data from 2013 to 2018 among adults aged ≥18 years (N = 951,533; mean age: 48.4 years; 57.4 % female) in a large academic healthcare system. Adjusted logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the association of CNCP conditions with opioid overdose, emergency department utilization, and inpatient hospitalization stratified by different SUD diagnoses and by gender. ResultsAmong the total sample, the prevalence of CNCP was 46.6 % and any SUD was 11.2 %. The majority of patients with a SUD had CNCP (opioid: 74.7 %; sedative: 72.3 %; cannabis: 64.3 %; alcohol: 58.7 %; tobacco: 59.5 %). The prevalence of CNCP was greater in females vs. males for most SUD diagnoses. The presence of CNCP was associated with more mental health disorders and chronic medical conditions among each SUD group. CNCP was associated with significantly decreased odds of overdose among those with opioid use disorder but increased odds of overdose and healthcare utilization among other SUDs. CNCP was positively associated with overdose in females, but not males, with alcohol or non-opioid drug use disorders. ConclusionsThe direction and magnitude of the association between CNCP and negative health indicators differed as a function of SUD type and gender, respectively. Greater awareness of potential unmet pain treatment need may have implications for improving SUD outcomes.

Randomized clinical trial of Cognitive Remediation Therapy with Work Therapy in the early phase of substance use disorder recovery for older Veterans: 12-Month follow-up

ObjectiveIn a previous report on a randomized clinical trial of a 3-month program of Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) augmented by Work Therapy (WT) compared with WT alone for older veterans with substance use disorder (SUD), we reported significantly greater improvements at six-month follow-up on neurocognitive outcomes of working memory and executive functions for the CRT + WT condition. However, no difference was found between conditions on SUD outcomes, with both groups showing unusually high levels of abstinence. In this study, we extended follow-up to 12 months to test whether there was an SUD outcome “sleeper effect” from CRT + WT. To better understand the effects of WT, we added a treatment-as-usual (TAU) comparison sample. MethodForty-eight veterans with SUD receiving standard outpatient VA care were randomized into CRT + WT or WT. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) ratings were performed on 43/48 participants with up-to-date medical records. A TAU comparison group (n = 44) with similar demographic and illness characteristics was added to the analysis. ResultsTreatment groups did not differ significantly at 12 months on CGI (p = 0.27), with 77% receiving CRT + WT showing favorable SUD outcomes compared to 62% in WT. Both groups had better CGI outcomes (p < 0.01) compared to the TAU comparison group (27%). Hours of WT participation (r = −0.49, p = 0.001) and hours of CRT (r = −0.45, p = 0.048) were associated with better CGI scores. ConclusionWhile no sleeper effect was found for CRT, a robust effect was strongly supported for WT on SUD outcomes.

Working memory training and high magnitude incentives for youth cannabis use: A SMART pilot trial.

The purpose of this sequential multiple-assignment randomization treatment pilot study was to examine if (a) adding working memory training to contingency management (CM) for youth with cannabis use disorder (CUD) and (b) switching nonresponding youth to higher magnitude CM incentives boosts outcomes. In Phase 1, youth with CUD (n = 59, M age = 16, male = 71%) attending an intensive outpatient program were randomly assigned to 14 weeks of CM only or CM plus working memory training (WMT). In Week 4, a Phase 2 treatment was assigned. Those with negative urine drug tests (responders) continued in their Phase 1 treatment. Those who were drug positive (nonresponders) were randomly assigned to remain in their Phase 1 treatment or to higher magnitude CM. Zero-inflated negative binomial models comparing those assigned to CM versus CM + WMT indicated no differences in the likelihood of having ≥ 1 week of continuous abstinence or longer abstinence duration. Those assigned to WMT showed greater but nonsignificant improvements in working memory (n = 35; β = .69, p = .06). Working memory improvements were associated with achieving any abstinence (odds ratio = 3.50, 95% CI [1.01, 12.10], p = .05). Phase 2 randomization to higher magnitude CM did not boost outcomes. Overall results suggest that WMT appears promising, but the sample size was small, attrition was high, and replication is important. Alternative strategies should continue to be explored to improve outcomes for adolescent substance use disorders, such as different approaches for nonresponders, tailoring to other baseline or response characteristics, or more robust first-line interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Abstract TP418: Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Stroke Outcomes

Background: Substance abuse is a major health crisis in the US, with an estimated 20 million people suffering from substance use disorders (SUD). In addition to rising rates of SUD, Kentucky is located in the northern region of the stroke belt and has one of the highest rates of stroke hospitalizations in the US. Substance use may cause stroke by various mechanisms, including vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction, drug-induced vasculopathies, advanced rates of atherosclerosis, and infective endocarditis. We sought to examine the relationship between SUD and stroke outcomes. Methods: This is a single center, retrospective chart review of adults age &gt;18 years with a diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and SUD based on either urine drug testing or medical record history, admitted between 12/6/2015 and 5/10/2019. We collected length of stay (LOS), admission/discharge NIHSS, discharge modified Rankin Scores, ICH scores, and discharge status and compared them to controls of ischemic stroke without SUD. Results: A total of 197 cases were identified [M=147 (74.6%)]. The most common illicit substances identified by testing were stimulants (42.6%, n=84), opioids (32.5%, n=64), and benzodiazepines (28.4%, n=56). Nearly all subjects had multiple substances present on screening. 13.8% (n=27) and 5.6% (n=11) received thrombolysis with either IV alteplase or mechanical thrombectomy, respectively. Compared to a control group of 176 ischemic stroke patients that did not test positive for illicit substances, cases (n= 139, ischemic stroke + SUD) were younger (mean=54.94+/-12.01 vs 66.15 +/- 14.38 yrs , p=0.0137), had a longer LOS (n=139, mean=8.44+/-10.84 vs 5.06 +/- 5.74, p=0.0006), higher admission NIHSS (mean=9.87+/-9.08, p=0.00012), and higher discharge NIHSS (mean=6.51+/-7.13 vs 4.19 +/- 5.73 , p=0.000512). Conclusion: Patients with SUD and stroke had longer LOS and worse discharge NIHSS compared to ischemic stroke patients without SUD. This could be due to the different mechanisms that cause strokes in substance users or could be a reflection of the effects of specific substances present at the time of admission. Future directions will include evaluating a hemorrhagic control population and examining a subpopulation of infective endocarditis.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and Prescription Opioid-Related Outcomes in the United States.

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a crucial component of federal and state governments' response to the opioid epidemic. Evidence about the effectiveness of PDMPs in reducing prescription opioid-related adverse outcomes is mixed. We conducted a systematic review to examine whether PDMP implementation within the United States is associated with changes in 4 prescription opioid-related outcome domains: opioid prescribing behaviors, opioid diversion and supply, opioid-related morbidity and substance-use disorders, and opioid-related deaths. We searched for eligible publications in Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. A total of 29 studies, published between 2009 and 2019, met the inclusion criteria. Of the 16 studies examining PDMPs and prescribing behaviors, 11 found that implementing PDMPs reduced prescribing behaviors. All 3 studies on opioid diversion and supply reported reductions in the examined outcomes. In the opioid-related morbidity and substance-use disorders domain, 7 of 8 studies found associations with prescription opioid-related outcomes. Four of 8 studies in the opioid-related deaths domain reported reduced mortality rates. Despite the mixed findings, emerging evidence supports that the implementation of state PDMPs reduces opioid prescriptions, opioid diversion and supply, and opioid-related morbidity and substance-use disorder outcomes. When PDMP characteristics were examined, mandatory access provisions were associated with reductions in prescribing behaviors, diversion outcomes, hospital admissions, substance-use disorders, and mortality rates. Inconsistencies in the evidence base across outcome domains are due to analytical approaches across studies and, to some extent, heterogeneities in PDMP policies implemented across states and over time.

The impact of trauma characteristics on post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder outcomes across integrated and substance use treatments

Proponents of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) constructs suggest that specific trauma characteristics, such as earlier age of first trauma (trauma age) and higher number of traumas (trauma count), may obstruct PTSD symptom reduction in treatment. PTSD and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly co-occur, but the impact of trauma age and count on PTSD treatment responses in a comorbid PTSD and SUD sample is unclear. Further, no studies have examined the impact of trauma characteristics on SUD treatment outcomes or whether their impact on either PTSD or SUD outcomes varies if PTSD is directly addressed. A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine: (1) whether trauma age and count influence comorbid PTSD and SUD (PTSD+SUD) responses during and following treatment; and (2) whether these effects differed across an exposure-based, integrated PTSD+SUD treatment (Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure; COPE) and a SUD-only focused treatment (Relapse Prevention Therapy; RPT). Individuals with PTSD+SUD randomized to COPE (n = 39) or RPT (n = 43) provided weekly measurements of PTSD and SUD. Across COPE and RPT, earlier trauma age predicted reduced SUD improvement (B = −0.01, standard error = 0.00). Trauma count did not predict changes in PTSD or SUD during or following treatment. These findings suggest that excluding individuals from exposure-based, integrated treatments on the basis of trauma characteristics is not empirically supported. However, individuals with earlier trauma ages may require additional or unique clinical attention to improve their SUD outcomes.

Effects of Ten Sessions of High Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (HF-rTMS) Add-on Treatment on Impulsivity in Alcohol Use Disorder.

IntroductionAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by increased impulsivity, which is multifactorial and can be assessed by tests like the delay discounting, Go-Nogo, and stop signal task (SST). Impulsivity has been related to poor treatment outcomes in substance use disorders, including AUD. In order to decrease impulsivity or improve inhibitory control, high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has gained interest. Studies applying HF-rTMS over the DLPFC of individuals suffering from AUD assessing its effects on impulsivity measures are scarce, and results are inconclusive.MethodsThe current study (registered in Netherlands Trial Register with trial number 5291: https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5151) applied 10 sessions of HF-rTMS [sixty 10 Hz trains of 5 s at 110% motor threshold (MT)] over the right DLPFC of 80 alcohol dependent patients in clinical treatment on 10 consecutive workdays. At baseline, halfway and after the HF-rTMS treatment, the delay discounting, Go-NoGo, and SST were assessed.ResultsTen sessions of HF-rTMS over the right DLPFC versus sham HF-rTMS did not affect performance on the delay discounting, Go-NoGo, and SSTs. A significant effect of age was found for the Go-NoGo task, with higher age associated with better performance. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found between difference scores of task performance and baseline impulsivity or severity of AUD.DiscussionResults of this study, in combination with other studies using HF-rTMS studies in alcohol and substance use disorder, indicate mixed and inconclusive findings of HF-rTMS on impulsivity. Future studies within patient groups hospitalized at the same department are recommended to consider using a sham coil that mimics the sensations on the scalp of active HF-rTMS and to measure motivation across test sessions.

Review of EMDR Interventions for Individuals With Substance Use Disorder With/Without Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A large proportion (11%–60%) of people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also suffer from substance use disorder (SUD). As the high cooccurrence of PTSD and SUD leads to a worsening of psychopathological severity, development and evaluation of integrated treatments become highly valuable for individuals presenting with both diagnoses. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may fit these needs. This article summarized all studies that investigated EMDR treatment for SUD, to clarify whether EMDR might be a useful approach. A comprehensive Title/Abstract/Keyword search was conducted on PsycInfo, PsychArticle, PubMed, and Scopus databases. A total of 135 articles were retrieved, and 8 articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria. One RCT and one case study evaluated trauma-focused EMDR; one clinical RCT, one non-clinical RCT, one cross-over study, and one case study evaluated addiction-focused EMDR; and one quasi-experimental and one multiphase case study evaluated the combination of addiction-focused and trauma-focused EMDR. Results show that EMDR treatment consistently reduces posttraumatic symptoms, but that its effects on SUD symptoms are less evident. Although EMDR should be considered as a promising tool for this population due to its possible potential to improve SUD outcomes, further research is needed to see whether EMDR therapy, either trauma-focused or addiction-focused, is effective for SUD. We conclude with suggestions for future research and clinical practice in this area.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating integrated versus phased application of evidence-based psychotherapies for military veterans with comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders

ObjectiveRecent clinical practice guidelines recommend the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies for both substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the same treatment episode for patients with SUD/PTSD comorbidity. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the comparative effectiveness of integrating versus phasing evidence-based psychotherapies for SUD and PTSD among veterans with co-occurring SUD/ PTSD. Method183 veterans with DSM-IV PTSD and SUD at two VA Medical Centers were randomized to one of two psychotherapies during which Motivational Enhancement Therapy [MET] for SUD and Prolonged Exposure [PE] for PTSD were either phased or integrated throughout treatment. Primary outcomes as evaluated by blinded assessors were percent days with drug use or heavy drinking and PTSD symptomology. We hypothesized integrated MET/PE (n = 95) would yield better SUD and PTSD-related outcomes at posttreatment than phased MET/PE (n = 88). ResultsIn intent-to-treat analyses (n=183), both treatment groups achieved clinically (d=0.46 – 1.06) and statistically significant reductions in SUD (p < 0.01) and PTSD (p < 0.01) symptomology; the time by treatment interactions were not significant. Post-hoc analyses could not confirm statistical non-inferiority; between-group effect sizes suggest a lack of clinically-meaningful differences between the two treatment approaches (d=0.08 – 0.27). ConclusionsOur hypothesis that integrated MET/PE would result in better outcomes than phased MET/PE across a range of PTSD and SUD measures was not supported; both strategies for combining two single-disorder treatments for co-occurring SUD/PTSD yielded significant symptom reduction.

Change in employment status and cocaine use treatment outcomes: A secondary analysis across six clinical trials

BackgroundUnemployment is a chronic problem among treatment seeking substance users and is associated with poor treatment response. Most studies that have examined the relationship between employment and treatment outcomes for substance use disorders have done so by considering employment at only one specific point in time (e.g., upon entering treatment). There is a lack of research on how change in employment status over time is associated with substance use treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate both static employment status and change in employment status over time as predictors of cocaine use treatment outcomes. MethodsWe utilized data pooled from six randomized clinical trials evaluating treatment for cocaine use disorders (n = 553). Multiple general linear mixed models were conducted to determine the association of baseline, end-of-treatment, and change in employment status (from baseline to end-of-treatment) with treatment outcomes. ResultsTreatment outcomes did not differ by baseline employment status but were significantly better for those employed versus unemployed at the end-of-treatment. In regard to change in employment status over time, those who were unemployed at baseline and acquired employment by end-of-treatment had significantly better treatment outcomes during active treatment and follow-up, as compared to those who were unemployed at baseline and remained unemployed by end-of-treatment. ConclusionOur findings suggest that end-of-treatment employment status may be an important marker of good outcome among those unemployed at treatment entry and support the incorporation of interventions designed to promote employment by substance use disorders treatment programs.

The Insula: A Brain Stimulation Target for the Treatment of Addiction.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a growing public health concern with only a limited number of approved treatments. However, even approved treatments are subject to limited efficacy with high long-term relapse rates. Current treatment approaches are typically a combination of pharmacotherapies and behavioral counselling. Growing evidence and technological advances suggest the potential of brain stimulation techniques for the treatment of SUDs. There are three main brain stimulation techniques that are outlined in this review: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). The insula, a region of the cerebral cortex, is known to be involved in critical aspects underlying SUDs, such as interoception, decision making, anxiety, pain perception, cognition, mood, threat recognition, and conscious urges. This review focuses on both the preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating the role of the insula in addiction, thereby demonstrating its promise as a target for brain stimulation. Future research should evaluate the optimal parameters for brain stimulation of the insula, through the use of relevant biomarkers and clinical outcomes for SUDs.

Health Care Processes Contributing to Suicide Risk in Veterans During and After Residential Substance Abuse Treatment

Objective: Substance use disorders are an important risk factor for suicide. While residential drug treatment programs improve clinical outcomes for substance use disorders, less is known about the role of related health care processes in contributing to suicide risk. These data may help to inform strategies to prevent suicide during and after residential treatment.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on root-cause analysis (RCA) reports of suicide in veterans occurring within 3 months of discharge from a residential drug treatment program that were reported to a Veterans Affairs facility between 2001 and 2017. Demographic information such as age, gender, and psychiatric comorbidity were abstracted from each report. In addition, an established codebook was used to code root causes from each report. Root causes were grouped into categories in order to characterize the key system and organizational-level processes that may have contributed to the suicide.Results: A total of 39 RCA reports of suicide occurring within 3 months after discharge from a residential drug treatment program were identified. The majority of decedents were men and the average age was 42.9 years (SD = 11.2). The most common method of suicide was overdose (33%) followed by hanging (28%). Most suicides occurred in close proximity to discharge, with 56% (n = 22) occurring within seven days of discharge and 36% (n = 14) occurring within 48 hours of discharge. The most common substances used by decedents prior to admission were alcohol or opiates. RCA teams identified a total of 140 root causes and the majority were due to problems with suicide risk assessment (n = 32, 22.9%). Non-engagement with treatment during (n = 20, 14.3%) and after the residential stay (n = 18, 12.9%) was also highlighted as an important concern. Finally, several reports raised concerns that a discharge prior to treatment completion or a precipitous discharge due to program violation negatively impacted treatment outcomes.Conclusions: Efforts to prevent suicide in the period following discharge from a residential drug treatment program should focus on addressing suicide risk factors during admission and helping patients engage more fully in substance use disorder treatment.

Pharmacotherapies for co-occurring substance use and bipolar disorders: A systematic review.

Substance use disorders (SUDs), including those for alcohol, stimulants, tobacco, opioids and cannabis, in patients with bipolar disorder are a major clinical and public health problem, and are present in the majority of these patients. Nonetheless, the development of effective pharmacological treatments for co-occurring SUDs in bipolar illness have not been well-developed and may be an important practical reason for the reduced effectiveness of these medications in community practice. We conducted a systematic review of the literature (PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar), and identified N=29 clinical studies, which evaluated both mental health and SUD outcomes in patients with co-occurring bipolar disorders and SUDs. Our findings suggest the potential of valproate sodium and lamotrigine as preferred pharmacological agents for the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use outcomes in these patients. However, many of the reviewed studies are of open-label designs and of modest sample sizes. Thus, given the gaps in our knowledge, recommendations for treatment of this common and important co-morbidity are preliminary. Accordingly, the conduct of larger, randomized controlled trials for this co-morbidity is clearly needed.

(150) Short-Term Outcomes following an Intensive Outpatient Program for Patients with Comorbid Substance Use Disorder and Chronic Pain at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)

Research suggests a high comorbidity between chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD), particularly within a military population. Optimal clinical treatment for those with chronic pain and SUD is believed to be multidisciplinary care. However, limited research has been conducted on this topic within the military health care system (MHS). This quality improvement project examines short-term outcomes for a joint-SUD and chronic pain intensive outpatient program (IOP). Active duty, veterans, and dependents were enrolled in a 6-week Joint-IOP at WRNMMC. The multidisciplinary team included addiction social workers, physical therapists, nurses, and clinical psychologists. Patients received a breathalyzer and urine drug screen at the time of treatment initiation and periodically throughout. Participants filled out the following validated questionnaires pre- and post-treatment: Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), Pain Outcomes Questionnaire (POQ), Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Fifty-eight patients completed the joint-IOP. Paired T-tests suggest a reduction in DVPRS worst pain scores (p=0.013), reduced POQ total impairment (p=0.034) and improved POQ vitality (p=0.024) from pre- to post-treatment. Paired T-tests suggest a trend toward decreased alcohol and substance use as measured by the BAM (p=0.056). Both WHO quality of life and pain catastrophizing showed no significant change. This project suggests that patients suffering from chronic pain and SUD within the MHS have improved pain and SUD outcomes at the completion of a 6-week joint-IOP. Implications of this project suggest the importance of concurrently treating chronic pain and SUD within the MHS.

Small- and Large-Scale Network Modulation as Mechanistic and Predictive Biomarkers for tDCS; Randomized Clinical Trials among Methamphetamine Users

There is a growing body of evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation might be able to modulate drug craving and other mediators of addictive behaviors to improve treatment outcomes for substance use disorders (SUDs). But, our understanding about the mechanistic and predictive biomarkers of this potentially significant clinical effect is not well developed. In two independent RCTs (15 subjects cross-over and 58 subjects parallel design), among people with methamphetamine use disorders, we’ve used both resting state and task-based fMRI (rs-tb-fMRI) to test mechanistic hypotheses for the modulatory role for frontal tDCS in both small-scale top-down regulation or large-scale network interactions. Polarity dependent modulation in top-down regulation between DLPFC and subcortical areas and interactions between default-mode, saliency and executive control networks towards task positive networks were the major finding for the mechanistic biomarkers. Besides significant reduction in craving self-report after tDCS, there is a higher level of variation in response to real tDCS compared to sham. There are preliminary findings for both state and trait inter-individual variations before tDCS to explain variance in response to tDCS. Challenges for adding computational head models as structural trait and using tb-rs-fMRI as functional state-based predictive biomarkers of response to tDCS will be discussed.

Prescription Drug Misuse: Sources of Controlled Medications in Adolescents.

Adolescent controlled prescription drug misuse (PDM) co-occurs with significant consequences, including lower educational achievement, substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms, and psychopathology. Nonetheless, adolescent PDM sources and the prevalence of other substance use, SUD, and mental health outcomes associated with sources remain poorly understood. Data were from the 2009 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, including 103,920 adolescents (12-17 years of age). Six mutually exclusive sources were used: physician source only, theft/fake prescription only, friend/relative for free only, purchases only, other source only, or multiple sources. Analyses occurred separately for prescription opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizer/sedatives. PDM source prevalence across adolescents and by sex and school enrollment/engagement were estimated. Adjusted odds of past-year DSM-IV substance-specific SUD, marijuana use, any SUD, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety diagnosis, mental health treatment, and past-month binge drinking were estimated by source. Friends/relatives, for free, was the most common source (29.0%-33.2%), followed by physician sources for opioids (23.9%), purchases for stimulants (23.5%), and tranquilizer/sedatives (22.7%). Few school enrollment/engagement differences existed, but female adolescents were more likely to use multiple sources. Over 70% of adolescents using multiple sources had a past-year SUD. Multiple sources, purchases, and theft/fake prescription were more strongly associated with other substance use than physician source use, and multiple source use was linked with MDD. Adolescents using multiple sources, purchases and theft/fake prescriptions have elevated rates of other substance use, SUD and MDD and particularly warrant intervention. Also, adolescents with other SUD and MDD should be screened for PDM and misuse sources.

Peer-delivered harm reduction and recovery support services: initial evaluation from a hybrid recovery community drop-in center and syringe exchange program

BackgroundRecovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is often considered at odds with harm reduction strategies. More recently, harm reduction has been categorized as both a pathway to recovery and a series of services to reduce the harmful consequences of substance use. Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are effective in improving SUD outcomes, as well as improving the engagement and effectiveness of harm reduction programs.MethodsThis study provides an initial evaluation of a hybrid recovery community organization providing PRSS as well as peer-based harm reduction services via a syringe exchange program. Administrative data collected during normal operations of the Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery were analyzed using Pearson chi-square tests and Monte Carlo chi-square tests.ResultsIntravenous substance-using participants (N = 417) had an average of 2.14 engagements (SD = 2.59) with the program. Over the evaluation period, a range of 5345–8995 sterile syringes were provided, with a range of 600–1530 used syringes collected. Participant housing status, criminal justice status, and previous health diagnosis were all significantly related to whether they had multiple engagements.ConclusionsResults suggest that recovery community organizations are well situated and staffed to also provide harm reduction services, such as syringe exchange programs. Given the relationship between engagement and participant housing, criminal justice status, and previous health diagnosis, recommendations for service delivery include additional education and outreach for homeless, justice-involved, LatinX, and LGBTQ+ identifying individuals.

Lagged effects of substance use on PTSD severity in a randomized controlled trial with modified prolonged exposure and relapse prevention.

To advance understanding of the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD), research must provide a more nuanced picture of how substance use affects change in PTSD symptoms over the course of treatments and whether prolonged exposure techniques can be efficacious during active substance use. A data set that included patients with PTSD/subthreshold-PTSD and SUD treated with an exposure-based intervention provided an opportunity to conduct a secondary analysis to test how patients' substance use impacted PTSD change over treatment. We applied growth models to week-to-week PTSD symptom and substance use changes during treatment and follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of two cognitive-behavioral treatments for PTSD and SUD: Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and SUD Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) and Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT). Cross-lagged analyses were used to determine whether prior week substance use impacted subsequent PTSD symptom severity. Both treatments evidenced significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity. In the context of continued substance use, results suggest that individuals still benefit from exposure-based treatment. Results provide evidence that RPT and COPE both led to significant reductions in PTSD, providing further support that exposure-based techniques tailored for SUD can be conducted without jeopardizing PTSD or SUD outcomes. Implications for clinical decision making around treatment selection are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).