Analysis of Ohio Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ Rate of Prescribing Naltrexone for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Since Elimination of the X-Waiver

Abstract

Background:

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is common and deadly. Naltrexone is a treatment for AUD. Previous research examined factors that predict Ohio Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ (APRNs) utilization of naltrexone to treat AUD. Inclusion criteria included APRNs’ endorsing receipt of the X-waiver, a designation indicating providers’ receipt of substance use disorder education. In 2023, the X-waiver was eliminated. The purpose of this study was to replicate the previous research design in respondents without an X-waiver and compare findings.

Aims:

The aims of this study were three-fold: (1) assess whether race, age, practice setting, years in practice, or work experience with an addiction specialist physician predicted prescription of naltrexone for AUD, (2) assess whether the goal of abstinence or reduced alcohol use as desired treatment affected the likelihood of naltrexone prescription for AUD, and (3) compare differences between the answers in the current respondent group without X-waiver and the previous study’s X-waivered respondents.

Method:

All Ohio APRNs were sent surveys. Eighty-eight responses were included in analysis. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and chi-square results were reported.

Results:

Work experience with an addiction specialist physician was negatively associated with prescribing naltrexone for AUD. Respondents from the previous study of X-waivered APRNs were significantly more likely to prescribe naltrexone for reduced alcohol consumption as a treatment outcome than the respondents in this study.

Conclusion:

The recent policy change eliminating the X-waiver provides important context for research, adding to the substance use disorder literature.