CUPERTINO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/16/13 -- The results from a pilot evaluation of a once-monthly, extended-release naltrexone injectable for opiate addiction conducted by CRC Health Group, the largest behavioral health care company in the U.S., serving over 29,000 opioid dependents daily, provide promising implications for the treatment industry and managed care policy: lower rates of discharge against medical advice (AMA), longer lengths of stay in treatment (retention), and fewer readmissions (relapse).

The data were presented recently at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) Annual Meeting, and authored by Kathleen Brady, MD, PhD, of Medical University of South Carolina, Philip L. Herschman, PhD, of CRC Health Group, Gerald Shulman, MA, MAC, of Shulman & Associates, and David R. Gastfriend, MD, of Alkermes, Inc.

The multi-site, retrospective pilot study analyzed the electronic records of 8,441 patients from CRC Health Group residential facilities over the course of 12 months. CRC developed a specialized program called "Provita" to treat opioid dependence by combining counseling services with Vivitrol®, the once-monthly, non-narcotic, non-addictive injectable form of naltrexone developed by Alkermes. Vivitrol® blocks the reception of opioids to the relevant brain receptor sites, thereby blocking the creation of dopamine (the "high") and reducing cravings.

After detoxification and during inpatient rehabilitation, the CRC patients fell into one of three groups: 1) not recommended for or prescribed the once-monthly injectable, 2) prescribed but did not receive the once-monthly injectable (due to insurance denial or other reasons), or 3) received the once-monthly injectable at least once during rehab.

Compared to patients who did not receive the once-monthly injectable during rehab, those patients who did had 85% lower AMA rates, 37% lower readmission rates, and a 37% increase of length of stay. More specifically, discharges against medical advice (AMA) occurred in 28% of those patients who did not receive the injectable, 25% of those who were prescribed but did not receive the injectable, and just 4% of those who did receive the injectable. Results were generally consistent across the CRC Health Group sites.

These results prompted a collaborative disease management initiative with a leading behavioral managed care organization. The goal, says CRC, is to align opioid dependence prior authorization with a model of integrated counseling services and the once-monthly injectable in California, South Dakota and Texas CRC facilities. The program involves early identification of patients at-risk for relapse and actively engages them in longitudinal treatment.

"The findings of this study, which are currently undergoing replication, have very promising implications for U.S. managed care policy, the treatment industry at-large and, most importantly, our patients," said Dr. Herschman, CRC Health Group's Chief Clinical Officer.

About CRC Health Group

CRC Health Group is the largest and most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. CRC Health Group offers the largest array of personalized treatment options, allowing individuals, families, and professionals to choose the most appropriate treatment setting for their behavioral, addiction, weight management and therapeutic education needs. CRC is committed to making its services widely and easily available, while maintaining a passion for delivering advanced treatment. Since 1995, CRC programs have helped individuals and families reclaim and enrich their lives. For more information, visit www.crchealth.com.

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