Rates of Drug Overdose Deaths Continue to Rise, More Action Needed to Reverse Troubling Trends US Department of Health and Human Services New CDC data shows the overall number and rate of drug overdose deaths increased notably between 2013-2014, driven in large part by continued increases in heroin deaths and an emerging increase in deaths involving illicit synthetic opioids. These new data reaffirm that we have not seen the peak of the opioid abuse and overdose epidemic and highlights the need for continued action to prevent opioid misuse and dependence to save lives.
FREE Online CME/CE Tools for Motivational Interviewing
NIDA is offering 2 FREE CME opportunities for Motivational Interviewing. These online simulations guide providers of adult and adolescent patients through MI skills-building with real time testing in a clinical setting.
Distribution of Opioids by Different Types of Medicare Prescribers JAMA Internal Medicine Some researchers have suggested that the opioid overdose epidemic is primarily driven by small groups of prolific prescribers and “corrupt pill mills.” This propagates a message that opioid overprescribing is perpetuated by a small group of high-volume prescribers, while general use is likely safe and effective. An examination of Part D Medicare prescription data provides the opportunity to address the question of whether such prescribing patterns occur across a national population.
White House Announces Community Forums on Opioid Epidemic The White House The White House has announced that National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli will host community forums across the country focused on best practices and evidence-based initiatives to prevent and treat prescription drug abuse and heroin use. The first forum was held in Oklahoma on December 16, followed by Connecticut and other states early next year.
Add Your Comment: Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain Regulations.gov The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the opening of a docket to obtain public comment on the draft CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. ASAM has already submitted comments, but individuals are encouraged to do so as well. The public comment period is open now, and will close January 13, 2016.
Physician Versus Non-Physician Delivery of Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment in Adult Primary Care Addiction Science and Clinical Practice With many health care professionals in the primary care setting operating under time constraints, adding adequate in-office alcohol screening, intervention and referral to the focus of the visit is often not an option. Findings from this randomized trial of physician versus non-physician alcohol SBIRT implementation suggest that a model of medical assistant screening and physician intervention may have the highest odds of implementation in currently predominant primary care models.
Off-Label Use of Medications for Treatment of Benzodiazepine Use Disorder Current Pharmaceutical Design As benzodiazepines are prescribed by both generalists and sub-specialists for multiple indications (anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, muscular relaxation and anesthesia), they represent a class of medications which are easily accessible by the general population. Benzodiazepines are also addictive substances and a non-negligible fraction of regular users will develop dependence; this article reviews the medications used in the treatment of such.
California to Revamp Addiction Treatment for Medicaid Recipients KQED News With federal approval California is overhauling its substance abuse treatment system for Medicaid beneficiaries, embarking on a massive experiment to create a smoother path for patients from detox through recovery.
Nonpharmacological Versus Pharmacological Treatments for Adult Patients with Major Depressive Disorder AHRQ Effective Health Care Program Including data from a total of 44 trials, this government-funded comparative effectiveness review looks at benefits obtained across all interventions for treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Overall, the available evidence indicates that second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) do not differ significantly in symptomatic relief as first-step treatments for adult outpatients with moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD). While SGAs, in general, were shown to lead to a higher risk of adverse events, the evidence is insufficient to form conclusions about differences in serious adverse events, such as suicidal ideas and behavior.
Co-Editors – Kimberly M. Brown, MD; Paul S. Chung, MD; Sarah Martin Domb, MD; Matthew Goldenberg, DO; Angela Gough, DO; Sameer Hassamal, MD; Christian Schrader, MD
Articles included are reviewed on their merit at the discretion of ASAM Weekly’s Editor-in-Chief. Any relationship that exists with products or services advertised with content is coincidental and not an endorsement, guarantee or condemnation of said products or services. Similarly, the views and positions of any content published in ASAM Weekly are not necessarily endorsed by ASAM nor a reflection of ASAM's beliefs and policies. The features are presented as a summary of the contemporary issues being represented and expressed in scientific, governmental, commercial, and media sources across the specialty field of addiction medicine. Contact ASAM Weekly with any comments or feedback.