Knowledge, past use, and willingness to start medication-assisted treatment among persons undergoing alcohol detoxification.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The current study examined knowledge of previous use, and willingness to take alcohol-related medication among individuals in medically supervised detoxification. METHODS: Participants (n = 302) provided health and demographic information, substance use and detoxification history, PCP visits, and AA attendance. RESULTS: Most patients had knowledge of alcohol medications, one-third had past prescription, and over 80% reported willingness to take medication. Previous detoxification predicted medication knowledge, while previous treatment predicted past prescription. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: More patients are willing to take medication than are prescribed medication. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Findings suggest the opportunity to increase medication use following detoxification which could reduce subsequent relapse. (Am J Addict 2017;26:118-121).