Good News For Treating Opioid Dependence

Discover the good news for treating opioid dependence: from innovative medications to exciting treatment advancements.

Published On

May 14, 2024

Dove Recovery's Team

Good News For Treating Opioid Dependence

Opioid Dependence Treatments

The alarming rise in opioid dependence has led to significant advancements in treatment approaches. The good news for treating opioid dependence lies in the progress made in pharmacologic treatments and funding initiatives.

Pharmacologic Approaches

Pharmacologic treatments play a vital role in managing opioid dependence. These treatments can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and block the effects of opioids, thereby making relapses less impactful. According to research, the most effective withdrawal method involves substituting and gradually reducing the dosage of methadone or buprenorphine. Although the use of narcotic antagonists to precipitate withdrawal has been studied, safety concerns and lingering symptoms have hampered its development NCBI.

For individuals with long-term habits, the best outcome is typically achieved through long-term maintenance on methadone or buprenorphine, coupled with appropriate psychosocial interventions. Those with strong external motivation may respond well to the antagonist naltrexone. However, the optimal duration for maintenance on either medication remains unclear.

The need for better agents to address the brain changes associated with addiction is clear. The aim is to develop treatments that are more effective, accessible, and have fewer side effects than the current options.

NIH Funding Initiatives

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has contributed significantly to the fight against opioid dependence. As part of the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, the NIH has allocated $420.5 million to fund a program focused on preventing and treating opioid use disorders NIH.

This funding supports 89 awards and has led to a concentrated effort on medication development for opioid use disorders and overdose prevention. The research under this program aims to identify and develop innovative technologies and therapeutic approaches that can prevent and treat opioid use disorders, stimulant use disorders, and reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression and overdose.

Furthermore, the program places a particular emphasis on developing medications suitable for vulnerable populations. These include pregnant women and newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal, as well as individuals with co-occurring misuse of opioids and/or stimulants and mental health disorders NIH.

These pharmacologic approaches and funding initiatives provide hope in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis, signaling good news for the future of treating opioid dependence.

Current Medication Development

One of the most promising areas in the fight against opioid dependence is the development of new medications that aim to treat opioid use disorders effectively and safely. This focus on advancing therapeutic approaches is creating a wave of optimism and can be considered good news for treating opioid dependence.

Focus on Opioid Use Disorders

Pharmacologic treatments for opioid dependence can significantly diminish withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and block opioid effects due to lapses. The most effective method for withdrawal is substituting and tapering methadone or buprenorphine. Although shortening withdrawal by precipitating it with narcotic antagonists has been studied, issues with safety or persisting symptoms have complicated its development. Those individuals with long-term habits, excluding those with short-term habits, see the best outcome with long-term maintenance on methadone or buprenorphine accompanied by appropriate psychosocial interventions. Those with strong external motivation may do well on the antagonist naltrexone. Presently, the optimum duration of maintenance on either is unclear.

The NIH has contributed $420.5 million to fund a program focused on preventing and treating opioid use disorder through 89 awards, as part of the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative. Medication development for opioid use disorders and overdose prevention has been a focal point, with research supporting the development of new medications that are more effective, accessible, and have fewer side effects than current options [2].

Innovative Therapeutic Approaches

In addition to focusing on opioid use disorders, the program also aims to identify and develop innovative technologies and therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder. The research also focuses on reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression and overdose.

A significant aspect of the program's objectives involves developing medications suitable for vulnerable populations. These include pregnant women and newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal, as well as for individuals with co-occurring misuse of opioids and/or stimulants and mental health disorders.

These advancements in medication development and innovative therapeutic approaches are creating a new wave of optimism in treating opioid dependence. With a focus on improving outcomes and reducing side effects, this represents a significant step forward in the fight against opioid use disorders.

Approved Treatments

Understanding the approved treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) is essential to creating a comprehensive treatment plan. The good news for treating opioid dependence lies in the variety of options available, which include FDA-approved medications and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

FDA-Approved Options

The U.S. FDA has approved several treatments for opioid use disorder and withdrawal. One of the recent additions is Brixadi (buprenorphine) extended-release injection for subcutaneous use to treat moderate to severe OUD. This new treatment offers dosing options for patients already being treated with buprenorphine.

Despite these advancements, the current treatments may not be as effective against synthetic opioids and drug combinations driving record-high numbers of overdoses, highlighting the need for more effective and flexible treatment options.

FDA-Approved Treatment	Use
Brixadi (buprenorphine)	Moderate to Severe OUD

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder is considered the best treatment option. This approach involves the use of one of three medications (buprenorphine, naltrexone, or methadone) in combination with psychosocial and/or behavioral therapy [4].

Patients receiving medication for their OUD have halved their risk of death from all causes, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

However, significant misinformation regarding medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, can influence treatment decisions and hinder access to effective care.

MAT Options	Use
Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone	Opioid Use Disorder

The approval and use of these treatments have a significant impact on treating opioid dependence. However, patient education and provider support remain essential to ensure the effective use of these therapies.

Advancements in Treatment

The ongoing fight against opioid dependence has seen significant progress in recent years. Two key developments worth mentioning are the approval of Brixadi and the encouraging findings from a study on GLP-1 medication.

Brixadi Approval and Benefits

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Brixadi (buprenorphine) for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD). This extended-release injection offers new dosing options for patients already being treated with buprenorphine, representing an important advancement in the quest to treat opioid dependence.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), patients receiving medication for their OUD have halved their risk of death from all causes.

In a study assessing the safety and efficacy of Brixadi, a higher proportion of responders in the Brixadi group compared to the sublingual buprenorphine group was reported. This response to treatment was measured by urine drug screening and self-reporting of illicit opioid use.

GLP-1 Medication Study Findings

A small analysis has shown that the GLP-1 medication liraglutide significantly reduced opioid cravings. Patients with opioid use disorder experienced a 40% reduction in opioid cravings over a three-week study period. This effect was noticeable even at the lowest dose of liraglutide, marking the first randomized controlled trial to test anti-obesity drugs against opioid addiction [6].

Furthermore, patients on buprenorphine, a medication to treat opioid use disorder, who were also on liraglutide were more likely to report zero cravings than the placebo group. The combination of liraglutide and buprenorphine showed an additive effect, suggesting potential benefits of targeting different mechanisms with these medications [6].

These developments are indeed good news for treating opioid dependence, offering hope to patients and healthcare providers alike. It's crucial to continue research and innovation in this area, to provide comprehensive and effective treatment options for those battling opioid dependence.

Treatment Challenges

While there is good news for treating opioid dependence, several challenges persist in disseminating these advancements to those in need. These obstacles often center around misinformation among patients and the hurdles that healthcare providers face when offering treatment.

Patient Misinformation

A significant challenge in treating opioid dependence is the widespread misinformation that patients hold about medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Drugs like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, despite their proven efficacy, are often misunderstood, leading to hesitance among patients to embrace these treatments.

For instance, patients often view methadone as harmful to their health and associate it with negative social stigma. This perception can lead to difficulties in treatment adherence and a desire for alternative options.

On the other hand, buprenorphine is often seen as a decision against methadone, with patients citing its relative lack of stigma and more convenient administration. However, it's important to note that both methadone and buprenorphine are valuable tools in MOUD and should not be hastily discounted due to misconceptions.

Barriers for Providers

Healthcare providers also face significant hurdles in treating opioid dependence. Among the most common barriers are lack of training and lack of institutional support, which can prevent providers from prescribing beneficial treatments like buprenorphine.

Additionally, concerns about the potential for diversion (the misuse of prescription medication by someone other than the intended recipient) can further discourage providers from prescribing these treatments. This concern, while valid, should not overshadow the potential benefits of these medications for those struggling with opioid dependence.

Addressing both patient misinformation and the barriers faced by providers is crucial in making the most of the good news for treating opioid dependence. By expanding education, increasing training opportunities, and fostering institutional support, we can help ensure that these life-changing treatments reach those who need them most.

Global Impact of Opioid Use

Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be a grave public health concern worldwide, and the need for effective treatments is more urgent than ever. In this section, we will explore the global statistics of opioid use and discuss effective treatment models for OUD.

Worldwide Statistics

According to NCBI, the prevalence of OUD has reached an all-time high, with 15 million individuals worldwide meeting the criteria for OUD. In 2020, there were 120,000 opioid-related deaths reported worldwide, with over 75,000 of those deaths occurring within the United States.

In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 2 million people suffer from OUD, and the opioid-related deaths in 2021 were estimated to be nearly 76,000.

On the other hand, France has reported minimal opioid-related fatal overdoses, with only 7 opioid-related fatalities per population of one million. This is likely due to the access to effective opioid addiction treatments.

Country	Estimated OUD Cases	Opioid-related Deaths (2021)
Worldwide	15 million	120,000
United States	2 million	76,000
France	N/A	Minimal

Effective Treatment Models

Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) has emerged as an effective treatment option for OUD. It includes the use of medications such as naloxone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT can increase treatment retention, prevent overdose fatalities, and decrease the risk of disease transmission.

Another promising model for treating opioid dependence is the collaborative care model. This model incorporates input from multiple physicians from different disciplines, including a care manager who coordinates communication between the patient, primary care physician, therapist, and psychiatrist, and ensures regular follow-ups and interventions as needed.

Moreover, it is important to consider sex differences in the prevalence and treatment outcomes of OUD when designing treatment approaches. Women are more likely to misuse prescription opioids and have poorer health outcomes, while men are more likely to use heroin and have a greater number of co-morbid substance use disorders. Thus, treatment approaches should address untreated psychiatric comorbidities in women and polysubstance abuse in men.

The global impact of opioid use is alarming, and the need for effective treatments is urgent. The good news for treating opioid dependence is that progress is being made in developing effective treatment models that are tailored to the needs of individuals with OUD. These advancements in OUD treatment are a crucial step towards reducing the global impact of opioid use.