Investment in Treatment of Psychological Disorders Could Save Money

In this editorial we will explain how investment in treatment of psychological disorders could save overall cost. We will give the example of a common psychological disorder which is addiction. Addiction to prescription opioids became a new epidemic in the United States. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reported that the number of Emergency Department (ED) visits related to nonmedical use of prescribed opioid significantly increased (111%) between 2004 and 2008 [1]. The highest numbers of visits were recorded for oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone [2]. Buprenorphine is a relatively new medication which has been approved for treatment of opioid dependence in October 2002. It became available in the market in 2003. Buprenorphine has many qualities that make it an effective treatment for opioid dependence. It is a partial mu receptor agonist that can hinder priming for opioids and is safer compared with other full opioid receptor agonists [1]. It has kappa receptor antagonistic properties that may improve dysphoric mood in this population [2]. Buprenorphine is a promising and practical option for managing opioid addiction in patients receiving long-term opioid maintenance treatment, particularly for those who may not qualify for or desire methadone maintenance treatment. A meta-analysis was recently published [3] about the effect of buprenorphine dose on treatment outcome. It was concluded that the higher buprenorphine dose predicted better retention in treatment compared with the lower buprenorphine dose, and the positive urine drug screens for opioids predicted dropping out of treatment. Retention in treatment predicted less illicit opioid use, and the positive urine drug screens for cocaine predicted more illicit opioid use. There is strong evidence based on 21 randomized clinical trials that the higher buprenorphine dose may improve retention in buprenorphine maintenance treatment and reduce the risk of relapse. Based on this study a cost based analysis was presented at the Global Addiction conference May, 2013 in Pisa, Italy. The presenters showed that the buprenorphine dose range 16-24 mg daily had a significantly better retention compared to 0-8 mg, 8-16 mg or 24-32 mg daily. The cost analysis showed that each $1 invested to provide a dose range 16-24 mg daily is expected to save $4 in return to the society than would be saved by spending $1 to provide a lower dose range e.g. 8-16 mg daily. It was concluded that the societal benefits among buprenorphine patients dosed at 16-24 mg daily may justify treatment providers to pay the extra ingredients costs to dose patients within this dose range when clinically and financially appropriate to do so.