Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

The opioid crisis has involved rapid rise in drug overdose and death involving prescription and illegal opioids. Part of the Government of Canada's approach to drug policy aims to focus on a strong foundation of evidence and treatment. Guidelines for treating individuals with opioid use disorder recommends individuals receive treatment that involves medication (i.e., opioid agonist therapy) and psychosocial treatment (e.g., counselling). Previous reviews, however, have found inconsistent results about the effectiveness of psychosocial treatments and no previous reviews have analyzed findings numerically (quantitatively). Our study is the first to compile evidence to determine if psychosocial therapies used in combination with medication is more effective than medication alone. This work also compares different types of psychosocial treatments to determine the benefit and harms of each and we present an understanding of what approach may be most effective. Due to a large number of studies included, our study also aimed to look at specific subgroups of people such as those using opioids for chronic pain, pregnant females with opioid use disorder, and individuals with comorbid mental health concerns. A second goal of our work was to determine the aspects that are most important to measure in future studies of treating people with opioid use disorder. To do this, we have been conducting interviews, focus groups, and surveys in collaboration with patient partners, policy makers, clinicians, and researchers to ensure that future research defines effectiveness of treatment in line with how those most impact by opioid use disorder understand successful treatment. The results of this work are being distributed widely in order to facilitate an improved understanding of the role that psychosocial therapy can have in treating opioid use disorder.