What is Evidence-Based Treatment for Drug & Alcohol Addiction?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) separates evidence-based therapies (EBT) into two areas: pharmacotherapies and behavioral therapy. Pharmacotherapies are drug therapies. Depending on the addiction – opioid, alcohol or tobacco – the treatment will be different. Behavioral therapy, however, is more universal. According to NIDA, “Behavioral approaches help engage people in drug abuse treatment, provide incentives for them to remain abstinent, modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse, and increase their life skills to handle stressful circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense craving for drugs and prompt another cycle of compulsive abuse.” EBT studies have been conducted and extensively researched (and documented) on a specific treatment. It has to be proven successful. The goal of EBT in the medical community is to encourage the use of safe and effective treatments that achieve results. This is done to lessen the use of possibly unsafe treatments among addicts.
What Makes a Treatment Evidence-Based?
According to the University of the Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute and the Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center, evidence-based research and treatment require the following:
- “Research: The practice has been subjected to a scientific study that included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, or in some cases a less rigorously controlled research design. For the most part, the research has been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Meaningful Outcomes: The practice has resulted in benefits to the individuals receiving the service. It has helped consumers achieve desired outcomes related to treatment goals and objectives.
- Standardization: The practice or intervention has been standardized so that it can be replicated. Standardization typically involves a published description that clearly defines the nature of the practice, the audience for whom it is intended and the desired impact of the practice on the individuals receiving it. Thorough instructions are available, as well as copies of printed materials and other tools needed to implement the practice.
- Replication: The interventions and practices have been studied in more than one setting and findings have yielded consistent results.
- Fidelity Measure: A fidelity measure either exists or could be developed from available information. Such measures allow practitioners to verify that an intervention is being implemented in a manner consistent with the protocol evaluated in the research.”
This is so important because it means that the treatment being offered has scientific and clinical support. In the past, those with mental health issues and addictions were often treated as weak or less-than. Today, these individuals are seen as those who need extra support in the areas with which they struggle.
Evidence-Based Treatment is Crucial for Successful Treatment
In contrast to traditional methods, which often rely on anecdotal experiences or unproven theories, evidence-based treatments are grounded in rigorous research and have been proven effective through controlled trials. This ensures that patients receive therapies that have a demonstrated track record of success, increasing their chances of a successful recovery.
Choosing non-evidence-based treatments for recovery can have serious consequences. Without the backing of research, these treatments run the risk of being ineffective or, in the worst cases, harmful. This not only wastes precious time and resources but also jeopardizes the health and well-being of individuals seeking help.
Examples of Evidence-Based Treatment Options
“Addiction is a brain disease and is defined as a chronically relapsing disorder of compulsive drug use. Advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of addiction have given substantial support to the disease basis for addiction. Changes in specific neuronal and neurochemical circuits have been identified that correspond to different components of the addiction cycle. Perhaps more importantly, these changes are long-lasting and in some cases can be permanent. One goal of medications development for addiction is to reverse or compensate for such pathological effects.” (Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2009 Jun; 8(6): 500–515.) Again, NIDA separates pharmacotherapies and behavioral therapy. Like the quote states, drug therapies (pharmacotherapies) work to help balance neurons and chemical connections in the brain that have been damaged by drug abuse. Here are how drug therapies help a different kind of addictions:
Opioid Addiction
Methadone: According to NIDA, “Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid agonist medication that can prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce craving in opioid-addicted individuals. It can also block the effects of illicit opioids. It has a long history of use in the treatment of opioid dependence in adults and is taken orally. Methadone maintenance treatment is available in all but three States through specially licensed opioid treatment programs or methadone maintenance programs.” Buprenorphine: This drug treatment is a partial opioid agonist. It’s often preferred by medical professionals for a few reasons:
- It suppresses symptoms of opioid withdrawal
- Decreases cravings for opioids
- Reduces chances of relapse
- Blocks the effects of other opioids
- Helps patients stay in treatment
Naltrexone: NIDA says “Naltrexone is a synthetic opioid antagonist—it blocks opioids from binding to their receptors and thereby prevents their euphoric and other effects. It has been used for many years to reverse an opioid overdose and is also approved for treating opioid addiction. The theory behind this treatment is that the repeated absence of the desired effects and the perceived futility of abusing opioids will gradually diminish craving and addiction.”
Alcohol Addiction
Acamprosate: This alcohol treatment reduces symptoms of withdrawal, such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and dysphoria. It has been shown to help alcoholics maintain abstinence for weeks to months, and it may be more effective in patients with severe alcoholism. Disulfiram: The utility and effectiveness of disulfiram are considered limited because patient compliance is inconsistent. However, among patients who are highly motivated, disulfiram can be effective, and some patients use it episodically for high-risk situations, such as social occasions where alcohol is present. It can also be administered in a monitored fashion, such as in a clinic or by a spouse, improving its efficacy. Topiramate: Although this treatment has not yet received FDA approval for treating alcohol addiction, it is sometimes used for this purpose. Topiramate has been shown to improve many drinking outcomes when compared with a placebo.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for All Addictions
Drug therapies, however, are not effective on their own. Although they may make withdrawal symptoms less difficult, it works best when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on leaving behind dysfunctional thought patterns and risky actions. It is an effective therapeutic approach for those with a co-occurring disorder such as mood disorders (depression, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder). The goal is to remove self-defeating thoughts and transform them into positive thoughts and actions. Therapists work with patients to find positive and effective stress coping skills that don’t rely on substance abuse. CBT is often a short-term therapy that addresses immediate problems. There are some new, innovative therapies that work in conjunction with CBT. “The importance of translating scientific advances in disease-specific interventions into clinical practice has been emphasized throughout the health care system, largely stemming from the consistent observation of a wide gap between research and practice.” (Health Policy. 2010 Oct; 97(2-3): 93–104). That’s why so many certified treatment facilities make EBT a priority over all other therapies. By working with doctors and therapists well-versed in EBT, our patients are able to both benefit from current research. Learn more about how we work with drug and alcohol users to provide the best possible rehabilitation services. All of this information can feel daunting without the support and expertise of our certified and experienced staff.