Results of the Vivitrol Pilot in Los Angeles County Presented by: Desiree A. Crevecoeur-MacPhail, Ph.D. Research Psychologist, UCLA ISAP

Background

What is Vivitrol? Injectable extended release naltrexone was FDA approved in 2006, for the treatment of alcoholism –In 2011, the FDA approved Vivitrol for the treatment of opiate addiction. An opioid receptor antagonist, that blocks the mu- opioid receptors in the brain –Mu-opioid receptors are responsible for the “high” or “buzz” individuals feel when alcohol is consumed or opiates are used.

Benefits of Vivitrol Reduces the number of risky and heavy drinking days (Garbutt et al., 2005; Lee et al., 2010; Manelli, 2007) Improves individuals’ quality of life (Pettinati et al., 2009; Schmitz et al., 2001).

Los Angeles County Vivitrol Pilot Project

Evaluation Questions Do LA County SAPC clients remain on Vivitrol beyond the 1st dose? –Does medication affect client outcomes? Length of stay, reported use of alcohol, retention and engagement Does staff knowledge and attitudes toward medication assisted treatment improve at 4 month follow-up compared to baseline, as a result of trainings?

Evaluation Design The three medication hubs: –Tarzana Treatment Center (main hub) –Behavioral Health Services –Prototypes. Selection criteria: –Infrastructure (staff, examination room, refrigerated and locked location for medication storage) to administer medications –Long-standing histories of providing quality substance abuse treatment to a broad range of clients

Data Collection Treatment Outcome Data –LACPRS Patient Response to Vivitrol –Medically Assisted Treatment Survey (MATS) –Urge to Drink Scale (UDS) Counselors’ Attitude –Counselor Attitude Survey

Results & Findings

Improved Counselor Attitudes Counselor attitudes improved over the course of the project and many who initially reported neutral or negative attitudes towards medication-assisted treatment in general or Vivitrol in particular, reported positive attitudes on the follow-up survey.

Participant Characteristics

Vivitrol Doses by Site

Reduced Urge to Drink Based on the Urge to Drink Scale, which is scored from 0 to 30.

Limited Side Effects Proportion Reporting Side Effect for Weeks 1 – 4 After First Dose

Treatment Clients Reduced Primary Drug Use Reduction in Primary Drug Use Days for Treatment (In Past 30 Days)

Higher Abstinence Rates among Vivitrol Treatment Clients Reduction in Primary Drug Use Days for Treatment (In Past 30 Days)

Higher Engagement Rates among Vivitrol Treatment Clients Engagement Rates of L.A. County Clients vs. Vivitrol Treatment Clients

Higher Completion Rates among Vivitrol Treatment Clients Completion Rates of L.A. County Clients vs. Vivitrol Treatment Clients

Success Stories

45-year-old, Latina female who has been trying to stop drinking for 15 years. She has been in “over 20 detoxes” and this is her fifth time in residential treatment. This is the first time, thanks to Vivitrol, that she has lost the craving for alcohol since she began drinking as an adolescent.

52-year-old, Caucasian male who has been drinking since 14 years of age. He tried to stop drinking for 25 years on his own or through 12-step programs. He never achieved more than 3-4 months of sobriety at a time. This is his 2 nd Tx program; in his first program he lasted two months – “thinking about drinking every single day. I couldn’t get it out of my head, so I left.” Currently, he has received 2 Vivitrol injections and has “been able to concentrate on the counseling work” since the third day after his first injection. He was on a pass last week and passed the liquor store where he has been “keeping a tab” for 15 years and “didn’t even realize I went by it until I was three blocks away. Vivitrol is fantastic!”

36-year-old, American Indian male with a 20-year history of alcohol and methamphetamine abuse and a co occurring diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He has been in treatment 4 times since he began trying to stop using 8 years ago. While he did manage to stop using meth 4 years ago, his daily drinking has been steadily getting worse over the last two years, most often leading to blackouts. He has received 4 Vivitrol injections so far and says he has not had any urges to drink since “a couple of days after the first shot.”

Conclusions In this pilot, Vivitrol –Increased the number of clients who complete treatment in detoxification, outpatient counseling and residential treatment programs. –Decreasing substance use in outpatient counseling and residential treatment –Increasing treatment engagement (outpatient and residential) and treatment continuance for residential treatment.

Next Steps Assess these findings against a non- equivalent comparison group –Look at outcomes of clients with similar background and compare to the Vivitrol group Assess urges once Vivitrol is no longer being taken – short-term follow-up –Examine how clients fare in treatment once they are no longer taking the medication Address Board Amendments

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Amendments SAPC to report in 90 days on: 1.Policy changes needed to expand the availability of Vivitrol (Medi-Cal) 2.Recommendations on how Vivitrol can be purchased at the most affordable price SAPC to report in 12 Months on: 1.The efficacy of Vivitrol and MAT as cost effective measures to improve outcomes 2.Recommendations for use in high risk, high consequence populations

Questions?

Thank You! Desiree A. Crevecoeur-MacPhail, Ph.D. (310)