Long-acting injectable depot naltrexone use in the Veterans' Health Administration: A national study

• Of VHA patients with alcohol disorders, 3,180 (3.1%) received any naltrexone.
• 240 (0.24%) received long-acting injectable (depot) naltrexone.
• Depot recipients use more outpatient and inpatient mental health services.
• Depot recipients more likely have a psychiatric disorder and prescription filled.
• Research is needed on this medication in dually-diagnosed and high service users.

IntroductionAlcohol use disorders affect millions, but few utilize medications. This paper examines factors contributing to the use of long-acting injectable depot naltrexone (LADN) in a large patient population.MethodsBivariate analysis, stepwise multivariate logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used.ResultsThe sample had 101,026 patients of whom 3180 (3.1%) received any form of naltrexone and 240 (0.24%) received LADN. Of those who received naltrexone, only 7.5% (240/3180) received LADN. The LADN group was more likely to have outpatient mental health service use and a mental health inpatient admission. The LADN group was more likely to have a co-morbid Axis 1 psychiatric disorder and to fill a psychotropic prescription.ConclusionIn order to better serve and understand the implications of LADN treatment for the patient population that uses and may benefit from it, more research is needed on the effectiveness of this medication in the dually-diagnosed and high service use population.