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Barriers to Use of Pharmacotherapy for Addiction Disorders and How to Overcome Them

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Abstract

Substance use disorders are highly prevalent, debilitating conditions for which effective pharmacotherapies exist with a broad evidence base, yet pharmacotherapy for the treatment of addiction disorders is underutilized. The goals of this review are to describe the barriers that may contribute to poor adoption and utilization of pharmacotherapy for alcohol and opioid dependence at the system, provider, and patient level and to discuss ways to overcome those barriers. Multifaceted efforts directed at all three levels may be needed to speed pharmacotherapy adoption. More research is needed to help us better understand barriers from patients’ perspectives. Strategies to promote adoption of pharmacotherapy for addiction disorders should be modified to fit the needs of the practice, system, and individual patients. Pharmacotherapy is a valuable tool in the clinical armamentarium of addiction treatment; thus, overcoming barriers to implementation may improve clinical and social outcomes.

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Acknowledgment

The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Department of Veteran Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Care Evaluation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (Mailcode 152 MPD), Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA

    Elizabeth M. Oliva, Natalya C. Maisel & Alex H. S. Harris

  2. Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 7180 Highland Drive (Mailcode 151-C-H), Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA

    Adam J. Gordon

  3. Mental Health Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Adam J. Gordon

  4. Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA

    Adam J. Gordon

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  1. Elizabeth M. Oliva
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  2. Natalya C. Maisel
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Correspondence to Elizabeth M. Oliva.

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Oliva, E.M., Maisel, N.C., Gordon, A.J. et al. Barriers to Use of Pharmacotherapy for Addiction Disorders and How to Overcome Them. Curr Psychiatry Rep 13, 374–381 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0222-2

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