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Clinical Takeaway
: Adults receiving pharmacotherapy were more likely to have severe substance use disorder and comorbidities, suggesting missed opportunities for earlier treatment.Context
Among substance use disorders, evidence supporting pharmacotherapy is strongest for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Medications for OUD reduce mortality and improve retention in care, while medications for AUD can reduce heavy drinking and increase abstinence. Despite its effectiveness, pharmacotherapy for both disorders remains markedly underused. In this study, investigators used 2022–2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to examine pharmacotherapy receipt and health care utilization among U.S. adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for AUD or OUD.
Key Results
Overall, only 5% reported receiving pharmacotherapy — 2% of adults with AUD and 30% with OUD.
Adults receiving pharmacotherapy had more comorbidities…