Medications Initiated in 30% of Hospitalizations for Alcohol Use Disorder Among Veterans

Summary: When veterans go to the hospital for alcohol use disorder, only about 30% get started on medicine to help them recover. A recent study looked at over 29,000 hospital visits within the Veterans Health Administration. It found that helpful medicines, like naltrexone, were used in just under a third of cases. Veterans were more likely to get these medicines if they saw an addiction specialist or a psychiatrist. However, older veterans, men, and those who were very sick in the ICU were less likely to receive them. Doctors say hospitals need to figure out why this gap exists and do a better job making sure all veterans get the treatment they need.

Source: rssapp-psychiatryadvisor-com URL: psychiatryadvisor.com/news/medications-initiated-in-30-of-hospitalizations-for-alcohol-use-disorder-among-veterans/ (opens in new tab)