Persisting with Purpose: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Target Comorbid Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain (CP) frequently co-occur, leading to significant disability and mortality.
• Treatment for comorbid OUD and CP is challenged by high dropout rates and co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
• Existing interventions like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) show promise but lack systematic evaluation for this specific comorbid population, especially in marginalized groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a novel ACT intervention manual tailored for individuals with comorbid OUD and CP.
• To incorporate transdiagnostic principles, trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and harm reduction into the manual.
• To create a scalable and accessible treatment resource for economically and racially marginalized patient populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an intervention mapping approach to systematically develop the ACT treatment manual.
• Integrated core ACT principles with specific modules addressing opioid use, chronic pain, and psychological well-being.
• Incorporated trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and harm reduction strategies throughout the manual's design.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive ACT manual was developed, featuring nine scalable skills.
• The manual emphasizes valued living and psychological well-being, alongside targeted OUD and CP interventions.
• The manual is designed to be culturally sensitive and accessible to underrepresented populations.

Conclusions:

• The developed ACT manual offers a novel, integrated approach for treating comorbid OUD and CP.
• The intervention is specifically designed for and centered on marginalized populations, addressing a critical gap in care.
• Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the manual's efficacy, with resources made freely available.