A Survey of Medication Diffusion and Attitudes Among Indian Clinicians Toward Pharmacotherapies for Alcohol Use Disorder

Introduction: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. However, uptake of AUD pharmacotherapies among clinicians has remained low. There exists a research gap regarding clinician attitudes and the diffusion of AUD pharmacotherapies among Indian clinicians. We conducted a survey to assess the same.

Methods: An online survey was sent to clinicians nationwide from February and April 2023 to assess attitudes and practices regarding various AUD medications. Logistic and ordinal regression models evaluate the clinician and caseload factors determining medication diffusion and attitudes.

Results: A total of 387 clinicians responded to our survey. Most of them were males (61.7%) and trained psychiatrists (56.3%). The diffusion for acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram was 69.8%, 81.4%, and 58.2%, respectively. Baclofen had the highest diffusion. Female respondents had significantly lower perceived efficacy, acceptability, and safety for disulfiram. Independent practitioners were more likely to prescribe all pharmacotherapies except baclofen.

Discussion: Diffusion for alcohol pharmacotherapies was incomplete. Baclofen had the highest diffusion, probably reflecting its cost and safety profile. Despite its perceived efficacy, safety concerns impacted the diffusion of disulfiram. Female clinicians had lower perceived attitudes toward disulfiram. Specific training for AUD pharmacotherapies is warranted for female clinicians and nonpsychiatrists.