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Combining medically assisted treatment and Twelve-Step programming: a perspective and review
1a Department of Psychiatry , NYU School of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|April 8, 2017
Summary
Severe substance use disorders need long-term care, but treatment options are limited. Combining medically assisted treatment with Twelve-Step programs can improve rehabilitation outcomes for addiction.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
- Behavioral Health
Background:
- Severe substance use disorders necessitate extended rehabilitative care post-initial treatment.
- A significant deficit exists in available long-term rehabilitative services.
- Inadequate medical coverage and underutilization of Twelve-Step programs contribute to this care gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the benefits and limitations of biomedical and Twelve-Step approaches in rehabilitating individuals with severe substance use disorders.
- To evaluate the synergistic potential of integrating these two modalities for improved clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A review of empirical literature focusing on clinical and manpower issues in addiction treatment.
- Assessment of treatment limitations in ambulatory and residential facilities.
- Analysis of long-term rehabilitation challenges, particularly for opioid-dependent individuals.
- Evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of biomedical versus Twelve-Step interventions.
Main Results:
- Biomedical and Twelve-Step approaches stem from distinct theoretical and empirical foundations.
- Opportunities exist for enhancing addiction rehabilitation through collaboration between medically assisted treatment (MAT) and Twelve-Step practitioners.
- Integration can involve pharmacotherapy for acute/chronic treatment and Twelve-Step support for sustained abstinence.
Conclusions:
- Developing evidence-based criteria for combined treatment approaches is crucial.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy of integrated biomedical and Twelve-Step interventions for improved addiction rehabilitation outcomes.