From the Guidelines
Combining medication-assisted treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy and addressing co-occurring disorders is the most effective approach to increase remission rates for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). This comprehensive approach has been consistently supported by recent studies, including a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020 1, which found that combining pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with alcohol or substance use disorders yields better outcomes.
Key factors that contribute to higher remission rates include:
- Medication-assisted treatment with medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder; acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram for alcohol use disorder; and nicotine replacement therapies, varenicline, and bupropion for tobacco use disorder
- Behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management, delivered in individual or group settings for at least 12-16 weeks
- Addressing co-occurring mental health disorders through integrated treatment
- Strong therapeutic alliances, family involvement, peer support, and comprehensive aftercare planning, including relapse prevention strategies
A more recent study published in 2025 1 emphasizes the importance of behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, in treating substance use disorders in adolescents. This study highlights the need for increased dissemination and implementation of effective behavioral therapies into community treatment settings.
While other studies, such as those published in 2016 1 and 2017 1, provide valuable insights into the treatment of substance use disorders, the most recent and highest-quality study 1 provides the strongest evidence for the effectiveness of combining medication-assisted treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy and addressing co-occurring disorders.
Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach that combines medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and addresses co-occurring disorders is the most effective way to increase remission rates for SUDs. This approach should be prioritized in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with substance use disorders.
From the FDA Drug Label
The drug is reported to be of greatest use in good prognosis opioid addicts who take the drug as part of a comprehensive occupational rehabilitative program, behavioral contract, or other compliance-enhancing protocol
The factors that increase remission rates for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) include:
- Comprehensive occupational rehabilitative program
- Behavioral contract
- Compliance-enhancing protocol 2
From the Research
Factors Increasing Remission Rates for Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorders, and have been shown to be effective in increasing remission rates 3, 4, 5, 6
- Multicomponent and interprofessional strategies, including pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapies, have been found to improve outcomes for individuals with SUD 5, 7
- Screening for SUD, particularly in high-risk populations such as pregnant women, can help identify individuals who may benefit from treatment 5
- Prevention strategies that target social risk factors, such as adverse childhood experiences, can help reduce the risk of developing SUD 7
- Involvement of healthcare providers in detection and management of SUD, including referral of severe cases to specialized care, can provide sustainable models of care 7
- The use of telehealth can expand access to care for individuals with SUD 7
- Treatment of SUD should be considered within the context of a Chronic Care Model, with the intensity of intervention adjusted to the severity of the disorder and with the concomitant treatment of comorbid psychiatric and physical conditions 7