Alcohol Use Disorder and Medication-Assisted Treatment

Problems with alcohol use are very common. About one in three people in the US will experience an alcohol use disorder in their lifetime. Many more will have friends or family members who struggle with alcohol misuse.

Signs and symptoms of AUD can include:

• Drinking in higher amounts, or more often
• Wanting to cut down use, or guilt about drinking
• Difficulty cutting down on alcohol use
• Alcohol cravings
• Alcohol use leading to problems in your personal or professional life
• Alcohol use leading to dangerous situations
• Tolerance (requiring higher amounts of alcohol to feel effects)
• Withdrawal symptoms (feeling ill, shaking, confusion, etc.) when alcohol use is stopped

Unfortunately, AUD causes harm to individuals and society, such as:

• Injury and loss of life
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
• Inter-personal violence
• Medical problems, including liver disease and harm to the brain
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
• Poor school and job performance

Effective treatment, including medication, is available but may not always be used. CBH and our network of providers in Philadelphia are committed to wellness – we want everyone to know how to get help. Treatment can be provided in residential (inpatient) and community-based (outpatient) settings, through group and individual therapy, and with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Talking to a doctor or care provider about alcohol use and medication can be very helpful. Currently, there are three FDA-approved medications for AUD, which include:

• Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
• Acamprosate (Campral)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)

CBH Network Best Practices Guide

• Alcohol Use Disorder: A CBH Network Best Practices Guide

CBH is committed to ensuring access to quality substance use treatment for all Philadelphians, but research shows that only a small proportion of those diagnosed with AUD are engaged in treatment services. The combination of effective behavioral therapy, availability of appropriate medication, and coordination of care represents the standard of care for AUD and other addictive disorders.

Please consult CBH’s AUD Best Practices Guide for more information.

Accessing Treatment

Contact CBH Member Services

Call 1-888-545-2600 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for help in receiving or referring for services for a drug and/or alcohol addiction. Community Behavioral Health (CBH) is a behavioral health insurance company that pays for mental health and substance use services for everyone that is enrolled in Medicaid in Philadelphia. Other Philadelphia Insurers:

• Medicare
  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• Magellan Healthcare
  1-800-688-1911
• Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI)
  215-546-1200

What to Expect

Treatment Begins with an Assessment

Before going into inpatient treatment, you will need an assessment. An assessment is an in-depth interview led by a behavioral health professional. The Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria (PCPC) and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) are two examples of assessments that help professionals determine what kind of substance use services you may need.

Residential and Hospital Treatment

If your assessment results show you would benefit from an inpatient hospital stay (also known as residential or bed-based treatment), the behavioral health professionals you met with will contact your insurance to get approval if required and connect you with a program that will meet your needs.

Community-Based and Outpatient Treatment

Many people can and do recover from substance use disorders with the support of an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient treatment is care that you can participate in without staying in a hospital or medical facility. During outpatient treatment, you can visit a behavioral health professional to access the services and medication you may need. There are three levels of outpatient treatment:

• Outpatient Program (OP): where you can meet with your treatment provider at least one time per week
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): where you can meet with your treatment provider at least three times per week
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): where you meet with your treatment provider daily

Some providers offer additional support for members with both substance use and mental health needs, indicated as Mental Health Treatment (MH Tx) If you are uninsured, covered by Medicaid/CBH, or not sure of your insurance coverage, contact CBH Member Services to gain assistance with accessing publicly funded SUD treatment and services. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room.

Where to Go for an Assessment

Communication Services

CBH can provide an interpreter, including for American Sign Language or TTY services, if you do not speak or understand English or are deaf or hard of hearing. These services are available at no cost to you. If you need an interpreter, call CBH Member Services at 1-888-545-2600 (TTY-1-888-436-7482) and they will connect you with the interpreter service that meets your needs. For TTY services, call the Pennsylvania Relay Operator at 711.

In-Network Adult Community Programs

For the most up-to-date listing of in-network adult community programs, please visit the CBH Provider Directory.

Distilling Solutions: Clinical Practice Guidance for Alcohol Use Disorder, February 25, 2021