This webinar provides an overview of the evidence of medications for OUD (MOUD) such as buprenorphine or methadone, as an effective preventative method against blood-borne viruses commonly associated with injection opioid use such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). This activity will highlight the impact of applying the HCV care continuum on the treatment outcomes for OUD patients with comorbid infections. Best practices on how to effectively interact and talk with psychiatric patients about their substance use and how MAT can act as an effective co-prevention method for HCV infection.
- November 10, 2020
- Yavar Moghimi, M.D.
This activity will describe recent trends in criminal justice system (CJS) populations and intersections with the US opioid epidemic, detail clinical trials examining the application of medications for OUD treatment in CJS populations and give context to recent and proposed policies impacting CJS and opioid use disorders.
- October 13, 2020
- Joshua D. Lee, M.D.
This webinar, presented by faculty expert, Dr. Ronald Siegel, will introduce a step-by-step, mind-body approach that integrates advances in rehabilitation medicine with psycho-dynamic, behavioral, and mindfulness-based techniques. This activity will supply practitioners with the tools to help patients interrupt the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of chronic pain cycles, using mindfulness practices to increase symptom tolerance, reduce pain-related anxiety, and engage more fully in life activities, reducing their dependence on analgesic medications. We will explore how these same practices and principles can help interrupt the cycles that maintain opiate dependence. By the end of this activity, participants will gain a greater appreciation for mindfulness methods and their possible efficacy in addressing persistent, chronic pain in patients with comorbid opiate dependencies and similar substance use behavior patterns.
- September 8, 2020
- Ronald Siegel, Psy.D.
Adolescents and young adults may display vastly different behaviors of substance use disorders. Their brains are still in development and therefore the exhibition of substance use patterns of behavior may not be as easily recognizable when compared to their older adult counterparts. This webinar intends to highlight that medication for opioid use treatment is a key component of their recovery. However, this presentation will equip providers with additional support plan models to implement within their practices, including a reduction in reliance on office-setting care and a greater emphasis on family-based, school-based programs and mutual peer support help organizations.
- July 14, 2020
- Amy Yule, M.D.
Substance use disorders and opioid use disorders are more common in LGBTQ individuals with comorbid mental illness. In addition, many treatment programs do not have the culturally sensitive resources to adequately treat LGBTQ patients and are not aware of resources available for those who may have other underlying conditions or adverse histories. Micro-aggressions and discrimination in MAT practice can negatively impact treatment and recovery from substance use disorders, therefore it is essential for practitioners to have a greater understanding of this minority population.
- June 9, 2020
- Petros Levounis, MD
Problematic gambling and gambling disorder are common and more common in individuals with substance use disorders, especially those with opioid use disorder. In addition, many treatment programs do not screen patients for problematic gambling and are not aware of resources available for those who screen positive. Underlying problematic gambling can cause complications in and of itself or can negatively impact treatment and recovery from other substance use disorders. Clinicians can learn to screen individuals and provide them with useful resources.
- April 14, 2020
- Christopher Welsh, M.D.
Lack of knowledge about available long-acting buprenorphine formulations has led their under-utilization in the health care system, despite large unmet treatment needs among those with opioid use disorder. A multi-disciplinary approach that includes the collaboration between nurse practitioners, PAs, physicians, psychologists, social workers and hospital administrators is necessary to address this gap in knowledge and provide evidence-based care to those with opioid use disorder. Several newly approved long-acting buprenorphine formulations give patients and providers new options to consider. This webinar will review the peer-reviewed publications from three FDA-approved long-acting products, their FDA-approved indications, practical information on how to use them in clinical practice, ongoing NIDA clinical trials employing these long-acting medications, and patient case scenarios.
- February 11, 2020
- Dr. Michelle Lofwall, M.D., DFASAM
There is a high prevalence of mental health disorders among those with opioid use disorder. However, many practitioners still find it difficult to distinguish between differential diagnoses that may have similar symptomatology, especially regarding mental health and substance misuse. This webinar will enable participants to summarize the prevalence of common co-morbid mental illness, explain the relationships between concurrent mental health and opioid use disorder (OUD) and recognize risk factors associated with both mental health disorders and OUD.
- January 14, 2020
- Dr. Mark Duncan, M.D.