Articles related to ADDICTION MEDICINE

The Eat, Sleep, Console care approach dramatically reduced the number of days before infants with newborn opioid withdrawal syndrome were medically ready for discharge when compared to conventional care, without worsening specified unfavorable outcomes.

This 15-year multicohort survey of legal and illicit drug use among teens found that middle schools and high schools with higher levels of prescription stimulant therapy for ADHD tended to have the highest rates of prescription stimulant misuse. Other discovered associations included more parents with higher levels of education, non-Northeastern location, and more non-Hispanic White students.

The study authors highlight that buprenorphine can be safely started in an emergency department without triggering withdrawal, even among individuals who use stronger opioids like fentanyl. They note, “this study provides further evidence that all emergency department physicians can and should be using buprenorphine to help individuals take the first steps into treatment and toward recovery.”

Originally published in JAMA Psychiatry, a broad-based study shows nearly 7% of OUD patients are adding buprenorphine to urine sample to fake treatment adherence. Buprenorphine spiking suggests to the physician that the treatment plan is not working—especially in patients continuing illicit drug use.

Anyone who handles controlled substances must review their policies and procedures for identifying suspect prescriptions and taking appropriate action when necessary. Safe controlled substance (CS) handling procedures must also be followed by manufacturers and distributors. Thankfully, pharmacies can use tactics to spot questionable prescriptions, evade DEA inspections, and—most importantly—protect the health of their customers. But what comes first? Understanding what a red-flag prescription is.

The extensive training requirements and caps on patients treated have been removed. That means all prescriptions for buprenorphine now require only a standard DEA registration number.