Overall Treatment Recommendations

Clients who become infected with hepatitis and seek antiviral treatment—especially for hepatitis C—face long and in some cases difficult treatment regimens that, in the end, might not clear the virus from their bodies. Clients in treatment for chronic viral hepatitis might have to manage serious side effects of the treatment while striving to manage their behavioral health issues. People who decide to delay or forgo hepatitis treatment must learn new skills to live with their disease.

Facing these difficult decisions, some clients will feel overwhelmed, fearful, and hopeless. Counselors who understand hepatitis treatment options and their side effects can better support their clients in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs).

Clients who have any form of viral hepatitis will benefit from:

• Resting.
• Avoiding alcohol and discontinuing drug use.
• Avoiding other substances that can harm the liver, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) in large doses.
• Eating nutritious, well-balanced meals.
• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Treatment for Hepatitis A

Because hepatitis A is always acute, its treatment is generally limited to addressing symptoms, monitoring liver health, and letting the virus run its course. Clients recently exposed to hepatitis A virus (HAV) might be advised by their medical care providers to receive the HAV vaccination or immunoglobulin injection to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill (Franciscus, Highleyman, & Kukka, 2007; Victor et al., 2007).

In rare cases, hepatitis A leads to severe liver problems that require medication, hospitalization, or transplantation. If left untreated, liver problems can lead to life-threatening conditions. Therefore, a client who might have been infected with HAV should seek the care of a medical care provider.

Suggestions for counseling clients who have hepatitis A include the following:

• Assure clients that their symptoms are temporary.
• Reinforce prevention with messages such as, “You will recover from hepatitis A; let’s talk about what you can do to make sure you never get the more serious types. A vaccine against hepatitis B can protect you, and there are ways to reduce the risk of getting hepatitis C.”
• Encourage clients to take care of themselves. Say, for example, “Your body is working hard to fight off the hepatitis infection. It is very important that you take care of yourself now.”
• Reinforce the importance of maintaining SUD recovery activities. Say, “Your liver is injured. If you drink or use drugs, you could make it worse. Let’s talk about everything you’re doing to stay free of alcohol and other substances.”

Treatment for Hepatitis B

All cases of hepatitis B begin as an acute infection and most cases resolve without treatment. However, if the person does not recover completely within 6 months, the infection is considered chronic. Clients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B should get regular monitoring by a medical care provider, and some might undertake treatment. Several medications are used for chronic hepatitis B. Treatment might be started with any of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral medications, but interferon, tenofovir, or entecavir are preferred (Lok & McMahon, 2009). These medications might be prescribed individually or in combination (see Exhibit 5-1).

Exhibit 5-1

Medications for Chronic Hepatitis B.

Any treatment for hepatitis B has benefits and risks. Antiviral treatment generally lasts 6 months–1 year and can extend for years longer (possibly for life). Managing side effects can be difficult. The decision to undertake treatment should not be made in haste because ending some antiviral medications early can reactivate the HBV infection. Many people elect to delay hepatitis B treatment until they are better able to adhere to it. Exhibit 5-2 provides counseling tips for addressing clients’ concerns about hepatitis B.

Exhibit 5-2

Counseling Tips for Addressing Concerns About Chronic Hepatitis B. Help clients understand that although their symptoms might have diminished, they remain infected. Explain, “I know you feel better now, but remember that you still have the infection (more...)

Treatment for Hepatitis C

Because most people who have hepatitis C have mild symptoms or no symptoms, clients often do not know they are infected and, therefore, do not seek hepatitis treatment until severe hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related diseases have produced other symptoms or their infections are found in a screening test. Approximately one in five people clears HCV infection without treatment. In rare cases, acute HCV infection quickly leads to liver failure (for example, following reinfection after a liver transplant). Therefore, any client diagnosed with hepatitis C is a potential candidate for antiviral treatment.

Antiviral Treatment

Antiviral treatment helps the body fight off HCV infection (i.e., weakens the virus). When the virus is not detected in the blood of a patient who is receiving antiviral treatment, and when it remains undetected for 6 months after treatment is completed, the patient is said to have an SVR. The virus does not return in 95 percent to 99 percent of patients who achieve an SVR, and it does not appear to cause further damage (McHutchison et al., 2006; Swain et al., 2007).

However, an SVR does not make a person immune to reinfection. If reexposed to HCV, a person could be reinfected. Clearing HCV does not make a person immune to other forms of hepatitis or to liver disease. For instance, drinking heavily can still cause liver damage, even after successful treatment of hepatitis C.

The standard recommended treatment for hepatitis C is a combination of pegylated interferon injections and ribavirin (Exhibit 5-3). However, in 2011, the FDA approved two new oral medications, boceprevir and telaprevir. They represent a new type of medication for HCV infection that works differently than interferon and ribavirin and works in combination with those traditional medications (FDA, 2011a; FDA, 2011b).

Exhibit 5-3

Medications Approved for Treating Chronic Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C treatment works well for most people, whereas for a minority it produces little or no improvement. Counselors can help their clients improve their chances for successful hepatitis treatment by encouraging them to:

• Take all medications as prescribed, keep all medical appointments, and reschedule missed appointments as soon as possible.
• Maintain a healthful lifestyle.
• Learn about HCV medications, including special risks and warnings even after antiviral treatment has finished.
• Always carry a list that includes the prescribing medical care provider’s name and phone number and the names and dosages of the medications.
• Check with their medical care provider before starting new medicines, including vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking drugs with no known medical use.
• Maintain as many recovery activities as possible.
• Report side effects to their medical care provider.

Side effects of antiviral medication differ from person to person. Some side effects are mild to moderate and remain so. But in some people, side effects become more severe with continued hepatitis treatment. HCV treatment is long, and having to manage side effects for the duration of treatment can strain individuals and those they turn to for support. Side effects—particularly flu-like symptoms and depression, which are common side effects of interferon—are the primary reason people stop hepatitis C treatment. Because people are more likely to clear the virus if they complete their antiviral treatment, it is crucial that they get the support they need to manage side effects so the side effects do not cause them to discontinue treatment (Exhibit 5-4).

Exhibit 5-4

Adhering to Antiviral Treatment. Substance abuse treatment counselors can help clients adhere to antiviral treatment by: Explaining intended effects and side effects of medication.

Although most side effects are manageable by the patient, others require medical intervention. Conditions requiring medical attention include the following:

• Depression or mania. Counselors need to be particularly attuned to the development of these neuropsychiatric symptoms, routinely assess for them, and refer clients for mental health treatment as appropriate.
• Anemia (reduced red blood cell count). Ribavirin often leads to anemia that can cause fatigue and increase the risk of chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart attack.
• Neutropenia (reduced white blood cell count resulting in an increased risk of infections). Neutropenia is rarely severe enough to terminate antiviral treatment.
• Pulmonary conditions. Shortness of breath or cough might develop during hepatitis treatment. People who develop these symptoms should consult their medical care provider to rule out other causes.
• Eye problems. Antiviral treatment can induce or aggravate eye problems, especially in people who have diabetes or hypertension. Clients who complain of blurry vision, any obstruction to vision, or loss of vision should receive an immediate medical examination.

Appendix D provides practical approaches to managing common side effects of hepatitis C antiviral treatment. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Hepatitis C Program, offers information on managing side effects on its Web site (http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/pdf/treatment-side-effects.pdf).

People Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence

Some medical care providers and clients believe that people on methadone or buprenorphine are ineligible for, or will not benefit from, antiviral treatment. However, research suggests that treatment for hepatitis C can be effective for people receiving MAT for opioid dependence (Kresina, Bruce, Cargill, & Cheever, 2005; Mauss, Berger, Goelz, Jacob, & Schmutz, 2004; Sylvestre, Litwin, Clements, & Gourevitch, 2005). NIH (2002) hepatitis C treatment guidelines state that MAT has been shown to reduce risky behaviors that can spread HCV infection, and it is not a contraindication to HCV treatment.

Many clients receiving methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone might want antiviral treatment, but it is not offered to them by their medical care providers. Counselors can provide a crucial service by informing clients that their receipt of MAT for opioid dependence does not exclude them from hepatitis treatment. Counselors can help clients search for medical care providers who are open to assessing them for hepatitis treatment, and counselors can advocate treatment if they perceive that clients are being discriminated against because of their past or current substance use status.

Adherence to antiviral treatment is an important factor in treatment success, and studies show that individuals receiving methadone treatment can adhere to treatment for hepatitis C (Schaefer et al., 2007; Sylvestre & Clements, 2007). Modifying treatment for clients receiving MAT for opioid dependence might help them adhere to antiviral treatment (Exhibit 5-5). Chapter 7 provides more information on program-level modifications.

Exhibit 5-5

SUD Treatment Modifications for Clients Receiving MAT for Opioid Dependence.

People Who Relapse to Substance Use

People who relapse, continue to use, or have only recently quit using drugs or alcohol are often denied treatment for viral hepatitis. One study found that more than one-third of substance abuse treatment programs listed recent drug use as a reason their clients had not been treated for HCV infection (Astone-Twerell, Strauss, Hagan, & Des Jarlais, 2006). Several factors determine whether a person is a good candidate for antiviral treatment, and recovery status is just one factor. Clients should not be denied hepatitis treatment for this reason alone. Other misperceptions abound. NIH (2002) indicates that treatment of chronic hepatitis C can be successful even when patients have not abstained from active drug use.

Strategies for helping clients who relapse to substance use include:

• Developing an SUD treatment plan that includes a range of effective treatment options; additional testing to evaluate HAV, HBV, and HCV status; and a hepatitis treatment referral.
• Using motivational interviewing to engage clients in treatment to improve their quality of life.
• Providing education on HCV transmission and treatment and helping with psychosocial difficulties.
• Recognizing clients’ ambivalence, efforts in SUD treatment, and attempts to reduce substance use.
• Referral to mental health treatment, if warranted.

People Who Have HCV/HIV Co-Infection

People who are co-infected with HCV and HIV must adjust to two major diagnoses that can have difficult treatment regimens. In clients with HIV, hepatitis C treatment is generally advised when the likely benefits outweigh the risks of serious side effects (Ghany et al., 2009). Approximately 35 percent of people who have HCV/HIV co-infection achieve an SVR (Sherman, 2007), and this success rate might be improved with new medications.

Counselors can help clients understand the implications of HCV/HIV co-infection and provide support. Strategies to address the issues include the following:

• Educate clients about HCV/HIV co-infection. Many people who have HIV might be aware of the health consequences of HIV but be unaware that HIV infection greatly increases the progression of HCV, increasing the likelihood of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer. In fact, liver disease—from underlying hepatitis B, C, or alcohol abuse—is the major non-AIDS cause of death in HIV-infected persons.
• Stress the importance of being tested for hepatitis and receiving antiviral treatment as soon as possible. All individuals who are infected with HIV should be screened annually for HCV.
• Screen for and address cognitive deficits. People who are co-infected are more likely to suffer cognitive deficits in multiple areas, including learning, abstraction, motor abilities, memory, and information processing (Cherner et al., 2005). Counselors should be attentive to signs of these problems, conduct assessments, help clients cope with these issues, and advocate on behalf of their clients with HCV treatment providers.
• Help clients manage side effects. Individuals who have HIV often receive medications that can have significant side effects. People who are co-infected with HCV and HIV might experience many side effects with antiviral treatment (Gish, Afdhal, Dieterich, & Reddy, 2005).
• Encourage clients to seek and receive compassionate medical care. Medical care providers who have not received training in managing HCV/HIV co-infection can present barriers to effective hepatitis treatment. Clients might also be negatively influenced by judgmental approaches, frustration, and unrealistic expectations for treatment (Kresina et al., 2005). These attitudes can result in distrust and poor communication between client and provider, as well as in frustration and lack of adherence by the client. Counselors can help clients find medical care providers who are familiar with and able to treat this population.
• Help coordinate care. People who have HCV/HIV have multiple needs requiring an array of medication and treatment. Counselors can coordinate with medical care providers to address these needs. A multidisciplinary approach can help clients access the treatment that they need and increase treatment retention.
• Emphasize adherence to treatment. Effective results depend on close adherence to all treatment regimens. Counselors should explain the importance of taking medications exactly as directed.

People Who Have Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Disorders

Studies have demonstrated that completion and outcome of antiviral treatment can be similar for clients who have co-occurring substance use and mental disorders compared with clients who do not have these co-occurring conditions (Chainuvati et al., 2006; Guadagnino, Trotta, Carioti, Caroleo, & Antinori, 2006; Sylvestre & Clements, 2007). People who have and do not have psychiatric histories had similar rates of HCV treatment adherence. In people who have depressive symptoms, medications to treat depression should be given early in HCV treatment to improve treatment adherence. Freedman and Nathanson (2009) suggest that optimal results are obtained when coordinated substance abuse and psychiatric treatment occurs before and during treatment for hepatitis C.

Counselors can help their clients with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders cope with hepatitis. Suggestions for initiating conversations follow:

• “Your doctor expressed some concern about your candidacy for treatment because of your depression. How do you see things?”
• “What would be helpful for your depression?”
• “Your doctor says you can go ahead with hepatitis treatment. What do you think you need to do for this to be successful?”

Information specific to supporting clients who have co-occurring substance use and mental disorders and hepatitis is provided in Appendix F.

Chapter Summary

• Hepatitis A rarely requires treatment.
• Chronic HBV can be treated with several oral antivirals; currently, tenofovir or entecavir are the recommended first-line options for initial oral treatment options.
• Hepatitis C can be treated effectively if discovered early (i.e., in its acute phase), but it is rarely discovered early.
• Treatment for chronic hepatitis C is lengthy, can cause side effects that are difficult to manage in some people, and requires good adherence. It is not appropriate for everyone.
• Some clients might elect (or be advised) to defer antiviral treatment.
• For some people, a liver transplant is the only option. Counselors can help clients through the process.
• Clients in OTPs are eligible for antiviral treatment.
• Clients who use substances or relapse can achieve SVR comparable with that of other groups if they adhere to hepatitis treatment.
• HCV/HIV co-infection can be very serious.
• Clients with co-occurring behavioral health disorders can adhere to—and respond to—antiviral treatment.