Psychoeducational Strategies During Outpatient Transition to Extended-Release Naltrexone for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The United States is experiencing an opioid epidemic. Better approaches to encourage outpatient utilization of Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, including extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), are needed. Withdrawal management before initiation of XR-NTX is challenging for clinicians and patients and represents a major barrier to treatment.

AIMS: To review psychoeducational strategies that support patients during outpatient withdrawal management and transition to XR-NTX.

METHOD: We reviewed the literature on psychoeducational strategies used during opioid withdrawal management and described the role that nurses can play in facilitating transition to XR-NTX in a Phase 3, placebo-controlled, outpatient trial comparing induction regimens.

RESULTS: Supportive interventions include general psychoeducation on addiction, overcoming ambivalence, treatment adherence, anticipating XR-NTX induction, managing psychological and physiological aspects of opioid withdrawal, risks of opioid use, and sources of support during recovery.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychoeducational strategies led by nurses can promote treatment adherence during withdrawal management and induction onto XR-NTX.