The Prescription Opioid Epidemic: An Evidence-Based Approach Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health A meeting of experts in the field of addiction was convened at John Hopkins University to address the prescription opioid epidemic. Their comprehensive response outlines three guiding principles for balancing the needs of patients experiencing pain, with preventing new cases of opioid addiction, identify existing cases and ensuring access to treatment.
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.
Longitudinal Modeling of the Association Between Transmissible Risk, Affect During Drug Use and Development of Substance Use Disorder Journal of Addiction Medicine (free ASAM member resource) This longitudinal study examined the drug using habits and affect states of boys and followed them into adulthood to assess whether these factors were related to transmissible risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) and the outcomes associated with SUDs.
New Medicare Part D Opioid Drug Mapping Tool Available Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interactive online mapping tool
(http://go.cms.gov/opioidheatmap) which shows geographic comparisons at the state, county, and ZIP code levels of de-identified Medicare Part D opioid prescription claims – prescriptions written and then submitted to be filled – within the United States. This new mapping tool allows the user to see both the number and percentage of opioid claims at the local level and better understand how this critical issue impacts communities nationwide.
SAMHSA Seeking Chief Medical Officer USA Jobs SAMHSA is seeking a new Chief Medical Officer in Rockville, Maryland. Duties include providing medical advice to senior management, organizing, planning coordinating and evaluating major medical needs, and more. Applications will be accepted until December 23.
High-Dose Benzodiazepine Dependence: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perceptions on Initiation, Reasons for Use, and Obtainment Plos One This study conducted in-depth interviews with 41 adult subjects using high dose benzodiazepines to better understand the reasons they began using as well as their procurement strategies. The insights gleaned can help clinicians better target treatment plans to this group of patients.
Performance Measures and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Do substance use disorder treatment disparities exist for racial and ethnic minorities in the United States? This study looked at treatment engagement in these groups as well as arrest records to track whether treatment led to a reduction in recidivism.
Massachusetts: Medical Schools to Bolster Opioid Lessons Boston Globe Massachusetts’ Governor Charlie Baker has heeded the call to combat the prescription opioid epidemic. The state’s four medical schools will incorporate instruction in the prevention and treatment of prescription drug misuse into their curriculum.
Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Prevention Program on Depression 6 Years After Implementation Among At-Risk Adolescents JAMA Psychiatry We know that adolescents whose parents have a history of depression are at risk for developing depression and functional impairment. Can a cognitive behavioral prevention program aimed at at-risk teens undo this family legacy?
Practicing Medicine Without a License: Medication-Assisted Treatment in the Courts The Fix The Kentucky courts' drug-treatment policies are largely abstinence-based, despite the ever-evolving medical consensus that substitution treatment is the new standard of care. Now a nurse with a substance use disorder is suing the state for denying her competent medical care.
Let ASAM Know About Your Insurance Frustrations ASAM Reporting issues with payers to ASAM is now easier. Use this form to share conflicts, problems and frustrations with public and private payers with ASAM’s Payer Relations Committee and staff. The reports will be used to respond to the issue and to track patterns that can help shape the agenda of the Payer Relations Committee.
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.