Counseling and directly observed medication for primary care buprenorphine maintenance: a pilot study

Counseling and medication adherence can affect opioid agonist treatment outcomes. We investigated the impact of 2 counseling intensities and 2 medication-dispensing methods in patients receiving buprenorphine in primary care.

In a 12-week trial, patients were assigned to physician management (PM) with weekly buprenorphine dispensing (n = 28) versus PM and directly observed, thrice-weekly buprenorphine (DOT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (PM+DOT/CBT; n = 27) based on therapist availability. Fifteen-minute PM visits were provided at entry, after induction, and then monthly. Cognitive-behavioral therapy was weekly 45-minute sessions provided by trained therapists.

Treatment groups differed on baseline characteristics of years of opioid use, history of detoxification from opioids, and opioid negative urines during induction. Analyses adjusting for baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups on retention or drug use based on self-report or urines. Patient satisfaction was high across conditions, indicating acceptability of CBT counseling with observed medication. The number of CBT sessions attended was significantly associated with improved outcome, and session attendance was associated with a greater abstinence the following week.

Although the current findings were nonsignificant, DOT and individual CBT sessions were feasible and acceptable to patients. Additional research evaluating the independent effect of directly observed medication and CBT counseling is needed.