Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract

In episode six of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Kelly Moore, Ph.D. of Yale University School of Medicine. Her new study takes a look at the implementation of continued methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) upon incarceration. Often, inmates undergo forced withdrawal once they are placed in a correctional setting. Her study sought to measure the difference in behavior both during incarceration and after release for inmates in a methadone maintenance group compared to those in a forced withdrawal group.
To read the article, click here.

In episode five of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Leo Beletsky, JD, MPH of Northeastern University. His commentary from the latest issue of the journal addresses common challenges that influence the delivery of substance use treatment in the primary care setting. He details underlying concepts of behavioral economics that may impact the decisions made by healthcare providers. Specifically, he addresses choice architecture as it relates to decisions regarding substance use treatment.
 
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In episode four of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Dr. Gerald Cochran of the University of Pittsburgh. His recent article details a pilot study which assesses a patient navigation intervention model for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. This represents a novel application for patient navigation. He details the clinical relevance of these techniques and discusses the potential impact of his findings.
 
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In episode three of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Bagley of Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. Her recent commentary addresses the approach clinicians take in treating adolescents with opioid use disorder and perceptions about the use of medication management. She also discusses the recent policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning the use of pharmacotherapy with buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone, and naltrexone in this population.
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In episode two of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Dr. Stefan Kertesz of the University of Alabama Birmingham and the Birmingham VA Medical Center. In his recent piece from the Journal, Dr. Kertesz discusses the challenge of treating patients who obtain benzodiazepines from another provider in addition to known prescribed opiates. He addresses this issue in the context of the results from a recent study by McClure, et al. in the same issue of the Journal which analyzes patterns of urine drug test results from a national laboratory.
Read more here.
ASAM developed the Appropriate Use of Drug Testing in Clinical Addiction Medicine document to provide guidance about the effective use of drug testing in the identification, diagnosis, treatment and promotion of recovery for patients with, or at risk for, addiction. Click here.

In this episode of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Alford of Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. His new study takes a closer look at the continuation of opiate agonist treatment in the perioperative setting among women undergoing cesarean section. Dr. Alford talks about the study, its limitations and applicability, and how the findings compare to current trends in practice. He also discusses his career in studying and treating patients with these issues.