Almost exactly a half-year ago we highlighted an excellent review article on opioid use disorder (OUD) by Drs. Carlos Blanco and Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (https://atforum.com/?s=blanco+and+volkow+review). Now we’re featuring another review article from another legend in the field: Mary Jeanne Kreek, MD, who heads the Laboratory of the Biology … [Read more...] about Review Article: Methadone Legend Dr. Kreek on Opioid Addiction Treatment
When Early Dropout From Opioid Agonist Therapy Seems Likely, Identifying Problems and Taking Action May Help Keep Patients in Treatment
Too often, patients drop out early from opioid agonist therapy and lose the many benefits it offers. Is there some way to intervene early and retain patients? A new study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggests that, indeed, there may be. A group headed by Leigh V. Panlilio, PhD, a staff fellow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, investigated … [Read more...] about When Early Dropout From Opioid Agonist Therapy Seems Likely, Identifying Problems and Taking Action May Help Keep Patients in Treatment
Vermonters Speak Out About MOUD in the State’s Hub-and-Spoke System
Vermonters didn’t hesitate when recently asked to share their opinions about the state’s hub-and-spoke (H & S) medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Instead, they responded freely to open-ended questions and queries posed during in-depth interviews. Their perceptions and opinions are the subject of a recent study in Preventive Medicine: “Patient perceptions … [Read more...] about Vermonters Speak Out About MOUD in the State’s Hub-and-Spoke System
Relative Costs and Benefits of Methadone vs. Buprenorphine in OUD
It’s generally accepted that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone or buprenorphine is more effective than nonpharmacologic treatment in opioid use disorder (OUD). But what about the relative merits of methadone and buprenorphine in OUD? Important differences exist between the two medications in several key areas: underlying pharmacologic actions, dosing schedule, … [Read more...] about Relative Costs and Benefits of Methadone vs. Buprenorphine in OUD
Why Patients With OUDs and Co-Occurring Mental Illness May Have a Better Chance in an OTP Than in Other Treatments
When a patient with an opioid use disorder (OUD) fails to respond to treatment—despite the best efforts of counselors in the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program—the problem may be a co-occurring mental health disorder, perhaps one that hasn’t yet been diagnosed. Under federal law, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) using methadone or buprenorphine are required to … [Read more...] about Why Patients With OUDs and Co-Occurring Mental Illness May Have a Better Chance in an OTP Than in Other Treatments
