Author(s): Peter McCann and Margaret-Ann McCann
Background and aim: Psychological therapies and some limited pharmacotherapy forms the mainstay of treatment for substance use disorders. However despite extensive research little progress has been made into developing therapies to aid in the initial detoxification phase, the maintenance of remission and to treat the morbidity associated with many drugs of abuse. The following review explores the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive treatment for some of the harmful aspects of exposure to alcohol, cocaine and opioids. Method: We conducted a systematic review of articles searched through PubMed for the use of HBOT for conditions related to alcohol, cocaine and opioid use disorders. Outcome measures included improvement in neurocognitive functioning, improvement in withdrawal symptoms and improved sleep and quality of life. Results: Few studies directly investigated the use of HBOT for complications of substance use in humans however several studies were found that looked at conditions with shared features including traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia and chronic pain. Conclusion: There is a lack of human studies assessing the impact of HBOT on sequelae of substance use however findings from animal studies and use of HBOT in related conditions show that there is potential for this therapy in the management of withdrawal syndromes, neurocognitive deficits and quality of life.
