Pharmacotherapy of Alcohol Dependence: Treatment Readiness and Compliance Barriers

Pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorders have proven efficacy. However, only a minority of treated individuals receive pharmacotherapy. Moreover, in the majority of cases, treatment duration is too short and does not follow recommendations of guidelines. A number of barriers have been identified that are related to the poor adoption of pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorders including characteristics of the system (e.g., lack of advocacy or treatment services, poor reimbursement for treatment), provider-based barriers (e.g., lack of knowledge or confidence, reluctance to prescribe pharmacotherapy), and patient characteristics (e.g., no interest in pharmacotherapy, poor access to care, fear of side-effects or stigmatization). Studies have tried to improve availability and adherence of pharmacological treatment of AUD. Patients’ attitudes towards pharmacological treatment have not been sufficiently investigated which might help to improve adoption.