In this episode, Liz Rohr interviews Shelby Pope, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, they discuss the stigma around addiction, the importance of supporting patients with opiate use disorder while exploring Shelby’s journey into addiction medicine and impacts of this field. 

This episode includes discussion of various treatment options for opiate use disorder, including naltrexone and buprenorphine, including the importance of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, while emphasizing the effectiveness of methadone and buprenorphine in reducing the risk of overdose and mortality. 

Liz and Shelby explore the process of induction and the importance of assessing withdrawal symptoms, ongoing monitoring and support for patients on MAT, including addressing cravings and harm reduction strategies. 

Key takeaways: 

• Exploring the stigma around addiction, and the importance of supporting patients with opiate use disorder.
• Addiction medicine is a beautiful and impactful field that can be accessible in primary care.
• Naltrexone and buprenorphine are two treatment options for opiate use disorder.
• Open conversations with patients and providing support and resources are crucial in primary care.
• Methadone may be necessary for some patients with extreme cases of opiate use disorder. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone and buprenorphine is highly effective in reducing the risk of overdose and mortality in individuals with opioid use disorder.
• Assessing withdrawal symptoms is crucial before starting buprenorphine to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
• Ongoing monitoring and support are essential for patients on MAT, including addressing cravings and providing harm reduction strategies.
• Tapering off medication should be done slowly and on an individualized basis, considering the patient's stability and goals.
• Individualized care and empathetic communication are key in building trust and supporting patients on their recovery journey.

For a full transcript and conversation chapters, visit the blog: https://www.realworldnp.com/blog/opiate-use-disorder. 

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