How Treatment-Refractory Addiction Is Defined: A Scoping Review

The lack of a consistent definition for continued treatment nonresponse poses challenges for research and clinical care. The use of "treatment-refractory" over "treatment-resistant" may better align with person-first language, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of addiction rather than implying something about the individual. An agreed-upon definition may improve the identification of this resource-intensive and at-risk population, guiding the development of tailored interventions that better address their treatment needs.