false
OasisLMS
zh-CN,en,fr,de,ja,es
Catalog
35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
An Integrative Approach to the Treatment of Co-Occ ...
An Integrative Approach to the Treatment of Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder and Liver Disease
Back to course
Pdf Summary
The Liver project, conducted by the University of Iowa Health Care, assessed the impact of integrated treatment services using telehealth on individuals with co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and liver disease, particularly in rural Iowa. Iowa has high rates of excessive drinking, contributing to alcohol-related liver disease being a leading cause for liver transplantation nationally. Launched in September 2022 as the Integrated Liver Recovery Service (ILRS), the project aimed to integrate SUD screening into the Liver Clinic, expand access and coordination of treatment through telehealth, and improve outcomes for patients.<br /><br />ILRS offered four primary services: medication for addiction treatment (MAT), mental health and substance use counseling, case management, and peer recovery coaching. Patients meeting criteria for current SUD and substance-related liver disease were enrolled, with data collected through multiple validated survey tools (e.g., GPRA, Brief Addiction Monitor, GAD-7, PHQ-9, ARC) and liver health scores (MELD-Na) extracted from medical records at enrollment and 6-month follow-up.<br /><br />Between September 2022 and March 2025, 84 individuals enrolled, with 51 completing the 6-month follow-up. Results demonstrated statistically significant reductions in overall substance use, alcohol use, and binge drinking frequency. Additionally, MELD-Na scores improved, indicating better liver function and a potentially lower mortality risk. These outcomes suggest that integrated, telehealth-enabled treatment can meaningfully reduce substance use severity and improve liver health, potentially increasing eligibility for liver transplantation. The project highlighted the importance of accessible treatment services for rural populations to curb the dual burden of SUD and liver disease.<br /><br />This work was funded by a SAMHSA grant and acknowledges contributions from therapy and evaluation team members. The findings emphasize the value of integrating addiction and liver care with telehealth to address complex health needs in underserved rural communities.
Keywords
Liver project
University of Iowa Health Care
substance use disorder
liver disease
telehealth
rural Iowa
Integrated Liver Recovery Service
medication for addiction treatment
liver transplantation
SAMHSA grant
×