Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction

Non-Pharmacological Components in Integrated Treatment for Patients with Dual Diagnosis: A Scoping Review

Objective: To examine how non-pharmacological integrated treatment components are presented in the literature, to facilitate high-quality dual diagnosis treatment and support informed decision-making in the development of integrated treatment facilities. Methods: A literature search was conducted in databases Ovid/Embase, PubMed, CINAHL focusing on intervention studies published between 2013 and 2023, describing integrated treatment for patients with dual diagnosis. A six-stage methodological framework for scoping reviews was used for selection and analysis of the papers included. Results: Twenty-six studies were included. Most integrated interventions were group therapy sessions guided by CBT or MI, however there was a large heterogeneity in the remaining core components and outcome measurements. Staff competence was often vaguely defined and described. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of the studies included influences reproductivity and comparability which makes it challenging to condense firm recommendations and point directions for design of treatment and scientific practice.

Motivational interviewing in postoperative rehabilitation and chronic disease management: Current findings and future research directions

This editorial highlights a recently published study examining the effectiveness of music therapy combined with motivational interviewing (MI) in addressing anxiety and depression among young and middle-aged patients following percutaneous coronary intervention. It further explores existing evidence and potential future research directions for MI in postoperative rehabilitation and chronic disease management. MI aims to facilitate behavioral change and promote healthier lifestyles by fostering a trusting relationship with patients and enhancing intrinsic motivation. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in postoperative recovery for oncological surgery, stroke, organ transplants, and gastrointestinal procedures, as well as in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and periodontal disease. The approach is patient-centered, adaptable, cost-effective, and easily replicable, though its limitations include reliance on the therapist's expertise, variability in individual responses, and insufficient long-term follow-up studies. Future research could focus on developing individualized and precise intervention models, exploring applications in digital health management, and confirming long-term outcomes to provide more comprehensive support for patient rehabilitation.

Outcomes and Challenges of Motivational Interviewing in Dual Diagnosis Treatment-A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client centered counseling approach which aims to promote behavior change by enhancing patient motivation through the exploration and resolution of ambivalence. This type of psychotherapy, initially designed for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD), is now seen as an effective way to manage chronic physical and psychiatric diseases. Patients with Dual Diagnosis (DD), people who simultaneously have a SUD diagnosis and a mental illness, are a complex group of psychiatric patients who have a particularly low treatment engagement. It was hypothesized that MI could be a valuable add-on therapy for DD patients. This review summarizes the main findings of randomized controlled trials applying MI to patients' psychiatric diagnoses and substance use. We aim to clarify previous inconsistent results regarding MI effectivity in this complex and challenging disorder.

METHOD

The systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web Of Science and Scopus followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The final selection for this systematic review comprised exclusively of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MI alone or integrated into routine care. All patients included in the selected studies were over 16 years old. The studies' quality assessment was conducted with the Jadad Scale.

RESULTS

8 RCTs were included in this review. The patients who underwent MI interventions showed an improvement in functioning, psychiatric symptoms, medication compliance and substance use, although without statistical significance. The number of relapses, total days in relapse and alcohol binge days showed a significant improvement in favor of the intervention group (p = .002, Bellack et al., 2006; p = .006, Haddock et al., 2003; and p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was a clear improvement in most of these outcomes, most studies failed to detect significant results. A significant clinical outcome of MI application was found in lower relapse occurrence and alcohol abuse. The disparity of findings may be due to the disorder's heterogeneity, and/or to methodological limitations. Our results emphasize the need for more methodically sound RCTs with adaptable characteristics specific to the pairing of psychiatric disease and substance abuse.

Improving HIV Outcomes in Miami's Black populations with clinic-based community health workers protocol: The integrated navigation and support for treatment adherence, counseling, and research (INSTACARE) randomized controlled trial

Miami-Dade is an HIV epicenter where Black populations experience excess AIDS-related deaths due to poor medication adherence, which prevents achieving an undetectable HIV viral load (VL). A promising approach to improving HIV outcomes in Black populations has been the use of community health workers (CHWs). Evidence shows CHWs trained in motivational interviewing (MI) may further improve outcomes, however little data exists about Black CHWs trained in MI who support Black patients with HIV. While CHWs traditionally help address social determinants of health in nonclinical locations, there is less information on CHWs who provide support in clinical settings, which may result in even greater improvements in HIV outcomes. To examine effects of CHWs trained in MI who provide HIV care in both clinic and community settings, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted in Miami-Dade's largest public hospital. The Integrated Navigation and Support for Treatment, Adherence, Counseling, and Research intervention is a RCT of 300 Black adults with an unmanaged HIV VL (> 200 copies/mL). CHWs trained in MI are embedded into HIV clinical care teams and participate in hospital rounds with clinicians treating inpatients. Participants randomized into the CHW intervention arm receive 12 months of CHW-led health education and assistance with health care navigation and social services. The primary outcome is change in HIV viral load suppression at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in medication adherence and social determinants of health. Study enrollment began in 2023 and will be completed by 2027. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2025. INSTACARE is one of the first RCTs to examine effects of clinic-based support provided by CHWs trained in MI on Black populations with an unmanaged VL and will provide evidence on the impact of such strategies on medication adherence and social determinants of health.

Reasons for High Emergency Department Use Among Patients With Common Mental Disorders or Substance-Related Disorders

Aims

This study examined the reasons for high emergency department (ED) use among patients with common mental disorders (MDs), substance-related disorders (SRDs) or co-occurring MDs-SRDs.

Method

Following content analysis, 42 high ED users (three-plus visits/year) recruited in two Quebec EDs were interviewed.

Results

The reasons included barriers to outpatient care, patient disabilities and professional practices. Patients with SRDs trust outpatient services less, those with MDs had important unmet needs and those with MDs-SRDs faced care coordination issues.

Conclusion

Improvements such as ED use monitoring, consolidating MD-SRD practices and continuous training are needed in EDs and outpatient services to enhance access and continuity of care.

A Narrative Review of Current and Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. It contributes to over 140,000 annual deaths, to over 200 related diseases and health conditions globally, and accounts for 5.1% of the global disease burden. Despite its substantial impact, AUD remains undertreated, marked by a scarcity of approved medications. This paper explores the current treatment landscape and novel strategies for both alcohol withdrawal syndrome and AUD. Promising results, including the use of psychedelics alongside psychotherapy, noninvasive neural-circuit-based interventions, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have emerged from recent studies. While these advancements show potential, further research is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness. The clear shortage of approved medications and other treatment modalities underscores the pressing need for ongoing research.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Linkage at Strategic Touchpoints Using Buprenorphine (OUTLAST-B): Rationale, Design, and Evolution of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Despite the effectiveness and growing availability of treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) with buprenorphine, many people with OUD do not access treatment services. This article describes the rationale, methodological design, evolution, and progress of an ongoing clinical trial of treatment linkage strategies for people with untreated OUD.

Methods

The study, titled Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Linkage at Strategic Touchpoints using Buprenorphine (OUTLAST-B), uses "strategic touchpoints", initially sexual health clinics and subsequently broadened to other service venues and participant social networks, for recruitment and screening. Adults with untreated OUD (target N = 360) are randomized to one of the three arms: Usual Care (UC, enhanced with overdose education and naloxone distribution), Patient Navigation (PN), or Patient Navigation with an immediate short-term bridge prescription for buprenorphine (PN + BUP). In the PN and PN + BUP arms, the Patient Navigator works with participants for 2 months to facilitate treatment entry and early retention, resolve barriers (e.g., ID cards, transportation), and provide motivational support.

Results

The primary outcome is OUD treatment entry within 30 days of enrollment. Participants are assessed at baseline and followed at 3- and 6-months post-enrollment on measures of healthcare utilization, substance use, and general functioning. Challenges and recruitment adaptations pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

Conclusions

This study could provide insights on how to reach people with untreated OUD and link them to care through non-traditional routes.

Trial Registration

The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04991974).