Optimizing heroin-assisted treatment (HAT): Assessment of the contribution of direct ethanol metabolites in identifying hazardous and harmful alcohol use

The findings of this study, which is the first assessing alcohol intake in HAT patients using direct ethanol metabolites and self reports, suggest the complementary use of both. Improved detection of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption in the context of HCV and heroin dependence will allow for earlier intervention in this population. This ultimately will contribute to an improvement in quality of life of patients in HAT. Furthermore, a significant reduction of costs can be achieved through a reduction of complications caused by alcohol intake.