Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse
Many new and existing cases of viral hepatitis infections are related to injection drug use. Transmission of these infections can result directly from the use of injection equipment that is contaminated with blood containing the hepatitis B or C virus or through sexual contact with an infected indiv...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2008-01-01
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| Series: | Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.la-press.com/hepatitis-infection-in-the-treatment-of-opioid-dependence-and-abuse-a750 |
| _version_ | 1818461918528012288 |
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| author | Alain H. Litwin Kenneth Hoffman Robert Lubran H. Westley Clark Leonard Seeff Diana Sylvestre Thomas F. Kresina |
| author_facet | Alain H. Litwin Kenneth Hoffman Robert Lubran H. Westley Clark Leonard Seeff Diana Sylvestre Thomas F. Kresina |
| author_sort | Alain H. Litwin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many new and existing cases of viral hepatitis infections are related to injection drug use. Transmission of these infections can result directly from the use of injection equipment that is contaminated with blood containing the hepatitis B or C virus or through sexual contact with an infected individual. In the latter case, drug use can indirectly contribute to hepatitis transmission through the dis-inhibited at-risk behavior, that is, unprotected sex with an infected partner. Individuals who inject drugs are at-risk for infection from different hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A, B, or C. Those with chronic hepatitis B virus infection also face additional risk should they become co-infected with hepatitis D virus. Protection from the transmission of hepatitis viruses A and B is best achieved by vaccination. For those with a history of or who currently inject drugs, the medical management of viral hepatitis infection comprising screening, testing, counseling and providing care and treatment is evolving. Components of the medical management of hepatitis infection, for persons considering, initiating, or receiving pharmacologic therapy for opioid addiction include: testing for hepatitis B and C infections; education and counseling regarding at-risk behavior and hepatitis transmission, acute and chronic hepatitis infection, liver disease and its care and treatment; vaccination against hepatitis A and B infection; and integrative primary care as part of the comprehensive treatment approach for recovery from opioid abuse and dependence. In addition, participation in a peer support group as part of integrated medical care enhances treatment outcomes. Liver disease is highly prevalent in patient populations seeking recovery from opioid addiction or who are currently receiving pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction. Pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction is not a contraindication to evaluation, care, or treatment of liver disease due to hepatitis virus infection. Successful pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction stabilizes patients and improves patient compliance to care and treatment regimens as well as promotes good patient outcomes. Implementation and integration of effective hepatitis prevention programs, care programs, and treatment regimens in concert with the pharmacological therapy of opioid addiction can reduce the public health burdens of hepatitis and injection drug use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T23:53:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90e688f96be345f2ab159f8a253d3aac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-2218 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T23:53:47Z |
| publishDate | 2008-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment |
| spelling | doaj.art-90e688f96be345f2ab159f8a253d3aac2022-12-21T22:43:10ZengSAGE PublishingSubstance Abuse: Research and Treatment1178-22182008-01-0111561Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and AbuseAlain H. LitwinKenneth HoffmanRobert LubranH. Westley ClarkLeonard SeeffDiana SylvestreThomas F. KresinaMany new and existing cases of viral hepatitis infections are related to injection drug use. Transmission of these infections can result directly from the use of injection equipment that is contaminated with blood containing the hepatitis B or C virus or through sexual contact with an infected individual. In the latter case, drug use can indirectly contribute to hepatitis transmission through the dis-inhibited at-risk behavior, that is, unprotected sex with an infected partner. Individuals who inject drugs are at-risk for infection from different hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A, B, or C. Those with chronic hepatitis B virus infection also face additional risk should they become co-infected with hepatitis D virus. Protection from the transmission of hepatitis viruses A and B is best achieved by vaccination. For those with a history of or who currently inject drugs, the medical management of viral hepatitis infection comprising screening, testing, counseling and providing care and treatment is evolving. Components of the medical management of hepatitis infection, for persons considering, initiating, or receiving pharmacologic therapy for opioid addiction include: testing for hepatitis B and C infections; education and counseling regarding at-risk behavior and hepatitis transmission, acute and chronic hepatitis infection, liver disease and its care and treatment; vaccination against hepatitis A and B infection; and integrative primary care as part of the comprehensive treatment approach for recovery from opioid abuse and dependence. In addition, participation in a peer support group as part of integrated medical care enhances treatment outcomes. Liver disease is highly prevalent in patient populations seeking recovery from opioid addiction or who are currently receiving pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction. Pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction is not a contraindication to evaluation, care, or treatment of liver disease due to hepatitis virus infection. Successful pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction stabilizes patients and improves patient compliance to care and treatment regimens as well as promotes good patient outcomes. Implementation and integration of effective hepatitis prevention programs, care programs, and treatment regimens in concert with the pharmacological therapy of opioid addiction can reduce the public health burdens of hepatitis and injection drug use.http://www.la-press.com/hepatitis-infection-in-the-treatment-of-opioid-dependence-and-abuse-a750hepatitismethadonesubstance abuse treatmentmedication assisted treatment |
| spellingShingle | Alain H. Litwin Kenneth Hoffman Robert Lubran H. Westley Clark Leonard Seeff Diana Sylvestre Thomas F. Kresina Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment hepatitis methadone substance abuse treatment medication assisted treatment |
| title | Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse |
| title_full | Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse |
| title_fullStr | Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse |
| title_short | Hepatitis Infection in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Abuse |
| title_sort | hepatitis infection in the treatment of opioid dependence and abuse |
| topic | hepatitis methadone substance abuse treatment medication assisted treatment |
| url | http://www.la-press.com/hepatitis-infection-in-the-treatment-of-opioid-dependence-and-abuse-a750 |
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