In episode two of Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, we are joined by Dr. Stefan Kertesz of the University of Alabama Birmingham and the Birmingham VA Medical Center. In his recent piece from the Journal, Dr. Kertesz discusses the challenge of treating patients who obtain benzodiazepines from another provider in addition to known prescribed opiates. He addresses this issue in the context of the results from a recent study by McClure, et al. in the same issue of the Journal which analyzes patterns of urine drug test results from a national laboratory.
Read more here.
ASAM developed the Appropriate Use of Drug Testing in Clinical Addiction Medicine document to provide guidance about the effective use of drug testing in the identification, diagnosis, treatment and promotion of recovery for patients with, or at risk for, addiction. Click here.

The Unexpected Urine Test: A Matter Far From Simple

An ideal opportunity for those interested in addiction medicine to get a closer look at the perspectives behind formal research articles. Podcasts offer insights into the experiences of the authors and researchers behind the great work and development in the field. Listening to their stories and thought processes helps listeners to connect with the experts behind the journal in a brand-new way.

Hosted by Journal Podcast Editor, Shawn McNeil, MD

Science

Dr. Marissa Tan and her co-authors sought to help clinicians better identify individuals at risk and inform patients and clinicians about xylazine risk factors.

Xylazine Use Among People Who Inject Drugs, Philadelphia 2022

Podcast host Shawn McNeil, MD, is joined by Joshua Sharfstein, MD, and Sara Whaley, MPH, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who delve into the strategic allocation of $56 billion from opioid litigation settlements. As they discuss the principles for effective fund utilization, they highlight opportunities for addiction medicine specialists to play a pivotal role in guiding state and local governments to spend these resources wisely to save lives.

Exploring the Impact of Opioid Settlements on Addiction Medicine

In episode 28 of  Addiction Medicine: Beyond the Abstract, host Shawn McNeil, MD is joined my Ashish Thakrar, MD, MS, an addiction medicine specialist and Assistant Professor of Medicine with the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Thakrar discusses the outcome of his research, which aimed to determine whether fentanyl concentration is associated with the severity of opioid withdrawal.
 
Article Link: https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/2023/07000/association_of_urine_fentanyl_concentration_with.18.aspx
 
Ashish Thakrar, MD,  X (Twitter) Handle: @especially_APT
 
Journal of Addiction Medicine. 17(4):447-453, July/August 2023.

Association of Urine Fentanyl Concentration With Severity of Opioid Withdrawal Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department

The language used to describe people with substance use disorder impacts stigma and influences clinical decision-making. Host Dr. Shawn McNeil, MD discusses with Dr. Scott G. Weiner, MD the presence of stigmatizing language in clinical notes and detects patient- and provider-level differences.
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Based on original research published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine 
July/August 2023 - Volume 17 - Issue 4
 
The Incidence and Disparities in Use of Stigmatizing Language in Clinical Notes for Patients With Substance Use Disorder

Incidence and Disparities in Use of Stigmatizing Language in Clinical Notes for Patients With Substance Use Disorder

The language used to describe people with substance use disorder impacts stigma and influences clinical decision-making. Host Dr. Shawn McNeil, MD discusses with Dr. Scott G. Weiner, MD the presence of stigmatizing language in clinical notes and detects patient- and provider-level differences.
 
Based on original research published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine
July/August 2023 - Volume 17 - Issue 4
 
The Incidence and Disparities in Use of Stigmatizing Language in Clinical Notes for Patients With Substance Use Disorder

The Unexpected Urine Test: A Matter Far From Simple

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