Methamphetamine is an extremely serious problem in the United States, and it remains one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world. There are severe psychological, and medical consequences from methamphetamine misuse and abuse. This poses a particular challenge for clinicians treating patients for mental health conditions that are comorbid with substance use disorder (SUD). This is especially challenging when there are also interactions that can alter or influence psychiatric medications used to treat these patients. Questions such as the following arise: Given the high comorbidity of SUD with ADHD, how often should you check drug screens, and what is the threshold for discontinuing the stimulants if tests come back positive? In this podcast episode, Dr. William Sauve’ addresses these concerns, and much more. He also employs strategies to improve communication with patients about being transparent when it comes to using substances.

Optional CME credits / certificate instructions: After listening to the podcast, to take the optional posttest and receive CME credit, click HERE.

Learning Objectives: After completing this educational activity, you should be better able to:

• Manage the challenges associated with psychiatric treatment of conditions comorbid with substance use disorder
• Integrate psychiatric drug interactions with methamphetamine use
• Assess treatments approaches for conditions associated with long-term use of methamphetamines

Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements: The Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

NEI designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. A posttest score of 70% or higher is required to receive CME credit.

 Nurses and Physician Assistants: for your CE requirements, the ANCC and NCCPA will accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME. The content in this activity pertains to pharmacology and is worth 0.50 continuing education hour of pharmacotherapeutics.

 Peer Review: The content was peer-reviewed by an MD specializing in psychiatry to ensure the scientific accuracy and medical relevance of information presented and its independence from bias. NEI takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

 Disclosures: All individuals in a position to influence or control content are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships. Although potential conflicts of interest are identified and resolved prior to the activity being presented, it remains for the participant to determine whether outside interests reflect a possible bias in either the exposition or the conclusions presented.

 Faculty Interviewer

Andrew J. Cutler, MD   Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY

Grant/Research: Acadia, Alkermes, Allergan, Axsome, Biohaven, Intra-Cellular, Lundbeck, Novartis, Otsuka, Sage, Sunovion, Tris  

Consultant/Advisor: Acadia, AiCure, Alfasigma, Alkermes, Allergan, Avanir, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Lundbeck, MedAvante-ProPhase, Neurocrine, Novartis, Otsuka, Sage, Sunovion, Takeda, Teva, Tris

Speakers Bureau: Acadia, Alkermes, Allergan, Avanir, Ironshore, Janssen, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Sunovion, Takeda, Teva, Tris

Faculty Interviewee

William M. Sauvé, MD

Regional Medical Director, Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers, Virginia

Speakers Bureau: Avanir

 Author

Sabrina K. Bradbury-Segal, PhD

Medical Writer, Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad, CA

No financial relationships to disclose.

 The Planning Committee and Peer Reviewer have no financial relationships to disclose.

 Disclosure of Off-Label Use: This educational activity may include discussion of unlabeled and/or investigational uses of agents that are not currently labeled for such use by the FDA. Please consult the product prescribing information for full disclosure of labeled uses.

 Cultural and Linguistic Competency: A variety of resources addressing cultural and linguistic competency can be found in this linked handout.

 Support: This activity is supported solely by the provider, NEI.

 Released: June 8, 2020          CME credit expires: June 8, 2023