When Added to Opioid Agonist Treatment, Psychosocial Interventions do not Further Reduce the Use of Illicit Opioids: A Comment on Dugosh et al

J Addict Med. 2016 Jul-Aug;10(4):283-5. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000236.

Abstract

This commentary reviews the limitations of the recent literature review by that examined the role of psychosocial interventions with medication for opioid addiction treatment. The commonly held belief that opioid agonist treatment alone is inferior treatment to such treatment combined with 'psychosocial' treatment (which many will understand to mean counseling) is not supported by the research evidence and it results in limitations on the use of these effective medications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid*
  • Behavior, Addictive
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Counseling
  • Humans
  • Opioid-Related Disorders*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid