Acceptability of non-abstinent treatment outcome goals among addiction treatment providers in Ukraine

We examined whether acceptability of non-abstinence treatment outcome goals varied as a function of a patient’s severity of diagnosis (ICD-10 Harmful Use vs. Dependence Syndrome), finality of outcome goal (intermediate vs final), and type of substance (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, cannabis), among addiction treatment providers in Ukraine. We surveyed 44% of Ukrainian treatment providers (n=446/1023; M age = 40.4, SD=8.6; Male = 67%; M YearsOfExperience =10.2; SD=7.2). For tobacco use, most respondents (78%–93%) rated non-abstinence as acceptable, regardless of diagnostic severity or finality of outcome goal (i.e., intermediate, final). Most respondents also rated non-abstinence as acceptable as an intermediate or final goal for patients with Harmful Use of alcohol (70%–86%) or cannabis (71%–93%); however, non-abstinence was less commonly indicated by respondents as an intermediate goal for patients with a Dependence Syndrome (alcohol = 52%; cannabis = 68%). Regarding other drug use, although most rated non-abstinence acceptable as an intermediate goal for patients with Harmful Use of opioids (68%) or sedatives (64%), fewer rated non-abstinence acceptable as a final goal (26%–33%), particularly for patients with a Dependence Syndrome (10%–27%). Very few providers (5%–15%) rated non-abstinence acceptable for other substances. Patients in Ukraine who wish to moderate cannabis or tobacco use will find that their provider is typically accepting of this goal; however, providers are mixed regarding whether alcohol and opioid moderation is appropriate, particularly for those with dependence. Findings support education and research efforts to better understand how provider and patient alignment regarding goals impact patient outcomes following substance use treatment in Ukraine.