The following is a summary of “A prospective cohort of treatment-seeking patients with problematic use of prescription narcotic drugs: study protocol and baseline characteristics,” published in the December 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Burmester et al.
Long-term outcomes of tapering treatment for prescription narcotics are unclear. Research is needed on clinical trajectories and treatment success.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess clinical trajectories and outcomes in addiction care patients.
They collected data from biomarkers, self-report questionnaires, medical records, and national registers at baseline and follow-ups at 6, 12, and 24 months. The cohort included patients at outpatient addiction services undergoing drug tapering and psychiatric treatment.
The results showed 405 participants enrolled between 2018 and 2023, with 57.5% women and 42.5% men, and a mean age of 49.2 years (SD = 14.0). Participants used prescription narcotics for an average of 11 years, with opioids (66.2%) and benzodiazepines (50.9%) most common. Healthcare providers prescribed narcotics to 75.9%, while illegal sources were also reported. Anxiety affected 46.3%, depression 40.4%, and prior alcohol or drug treatment was reported by 14.0% and 21.6%, respectively.
Investigators provided insights into the long-term outcomes of tapering treatment and factors predicting success. Baseline findings revealed prolonged prescriptions by healthcare providers, often against clinical guidelines.
Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-06368-w
