Illicit opioid use is a major public health problem across the globe. In the U.S. three medications (methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) are FDA-approved for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and all except short-acting oral naltrexone have been found to be effective in reducing…
Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Care Model Improves Access to Buprenorphine
Though buprenorphine is a safe and effective medication that has been used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) for nearly twenty years, fewer than 10% of primary care providers have obtained the required waiver to be able to prescribe it for that purpose. Pharmacists are both highly trusted and…
Integrating Telemedicine for Medication Treatment for OUD in Rural Primary Care: Beyond the COVID Pandemic
Even before the 2019 COVID crisis, telemedicine (TM) enabled by digital health technologies was considered a key solution to the health care access problem in rural communities. However, use of TM to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) has been limited even during the recent opioid crisis in the U.S…
Are Reductions in WHO Drinking Risk Levels a Valid Treatment Target for Alcohol Use Disorders in Teens with ADHD?
Alcohol use during adolescence is common and represents a major public health concern, yet fewer than 10% of U.S. teens aged 12-17 who would benefit from treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) actually receive it. As such, there’s a growing need for expanded prevention, early intervention, and…
Opioid Use Disorder in Women and the Implications for Treatment
The opioid epidemic continues to evolve and impact all groups of people, including women. The end to this evolving epidemic will require treatment solutions that consider women’s risks and needs as they related to opioid use disorder (OUD) and co-occurring conditions. Given that, it is crucial…
Comparing Web-Based Platforms for Promoting HIV Self-Testing and PrEP Uptake in High-Risk Men
Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 6% of the U.S. population, but 61% of those infected with HIV, as well as 69% of new infections. More than 30% of new infections occur in young (under age 35) MSM who identify as Black or Hispanic/Latino. And though minority MSM are not more likely to…
Substance Use Disorder May Increase Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack, Renal Failure, or Death in Patients with Hypertension
As general medical settings increasingly work to integrate substance use disorder (SUD) screening and management, being able to prioritize these practices for patients with medical conditions exacerbated by SUD may help facilitate adoption. Hypertension impacts over a quarter of American adults…
Impact of 12-Step Mutual Help Groups on People with SUD in Six Clinical Trials
Twelve-step mutual help groups are widely accessed by people with substance use disorder (SUD), but not often subjected to rigorous evaluation. Examining a pool of randomized trials containing a condition in which mutual health group attendance is actively facilitated might help reveal…
Frequency of Past-Year Cannabis and Other Drug Use Predicts Risk of Acute Care
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 11.2% of the U.S. population uses cannabis or illegal drugs (2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health). Cannabis and other drug use are associated with adverse health events, but little is known about the…
Men and Women Respond Differently to Exercise Interventions in SUD Programs
Regular exercise is a long-recommended approach to lowering the risk of a number of chronic health disorders, like cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers. It’s also been shown to improve sleep, cognition, mood, and quality of life, and to reduce substance use and…