Addiction Medicine Journal Club

In this episode we discuss improvements in cognitive function with opioid abstinence.    Kaur, G. Et Al. Effects of Abstinence From Opioid on Neuropsychological Performance in Men With Opioid Use Disorder: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Addiction Medicine 17(5): p 557-562, 9/10 2023.    We also talk about paramedics giving buprenorphine along with naloxone in the field, and the post-acute withdr...

In this episode we discuss 5 more articles that changed our addiction medicine practice.    Chambers LC, et al. Buprenorphine Dose and Time to Discontinuation Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder in the Era of Fentanyl. JAMA Netw Open. 2023; 6(9):e2334540. September 2023. (Episode 34)  Caponnetto, P., et al. Varenicline and counseling for vaping cessation: a double-blind, randomized, parallel-g...

In this episode we discuss 5 articles that changed our addiction medicine practice.  Mahdi Sheikh, et al. Postdiagnosis Smoking Cessation and Reduced Risk for Lung Cancer Progression and Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med.2021;174:1232-1239. [Epub 27 July 2021]. (Episode 4)  Santos GM, et al. Targeted Oral Naltrexone for Mild to Moderate Alcohol Use Disorder Among Sexual and Gen...

In episode 38 we discuss an article comparing different treatments (and no treatment) for opioid use disorder. Robert Heimer, Anne C. Black, Hsiuju Lin, Lauretta E. Grau, David A. Fiellin, Benjamin A. Howell, Kathryn Hawk, Gail D’Onofrio, William C. Becker. Receipt of Opioid Use Disorder Treatments Prior to Fatal Overdoses and Comparison to No Treatment in Connecticut, 2016-17. Drug and Alcohol De...

37. Injectable Vs. Sublingual Buprenorphine In episode 37 we discuss an article comparing injectable and sublingual buprenorphine. Superiority and cost-effectiveness of monthly extended-release buprenorphine versus daily standard of care medication: a pragmatic, parallel-group, open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial. Marsden, John et al. eClinicalMedicine, Volume 66, 102311...

In episode 36 we discuss an article about the mediators of problematic smartphone use. Christiane Arrivillaga, Caleb J. Hallauer, Christian Montag, Jon D. Elhai. Emotion dysregulation factors associated with problematic smartphone use severity: The mediating role of fear of missing out. Addictive Behaviors. Volume 143. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107708 We also discuss the National...

In episode 35 we discuss whether eliminating prior auths leads to more buprenorphine prescribing. Christine PJ, Larochelle MR, Lin L, McBride J, Tipirneni R. Removal of Medicaid Prior Authorization Requirements and Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. JAMA Health Forum. 2023;4(10):e233549. We also discuss buprenorphine diversion, and the lack of treatments for stimulant use disorder. H...

In episode 24 we discuss prescribing 24 mg of buprenorphine daily. Chambers LC, Hallowell BD, Zullo AR, et al. Buprenorphine Dose and Time to Discontinuation Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder in the Era of Fentanyl. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334540. September 2023.  We also discuss why Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy, and the FDA ban on menthol cigarettes. From the NY Times: Rite Aid, Facing...

In episode 33 we discuss overdose risk and polypharmacy: opioids, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and gabapentinoids. Domzaridou E, Carr MJ, Millar T, Webb RT, Ashcroft DM. Non-fatal overdose risk associated with prescribing opioid agonists concurrently with other medication: Cohort study conducted using linked primary care, secondary care and mortality records. Addiction. 2023 Aug 3. We also dis...

In episode 32 we discuss an article about trazodone for sleep in people with opioid use disorder on buprenorphine. Piyush Goyal, Dheeraj Kattula, Ravindra Rao, Roshan Bhad, Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Anju Dhawan. Trazodone for sleep disturbance in opioid dependent patients maintained on buprenorphine: A double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Volume 250. 2023. 110891. ISSN...

31: We discuss an article about how naloxone training impacts IV drug use. Colledge-Frisby S, Rathnayake K, Nielsen S, et al. Injection Drug Use Frequency Before and After Take-Home Naloxone Training. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(8):e2327319.   We also discuss gambling self-exclusion and which professions use the most drugs. From the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Gambling Self-Exclusion  From the C...

Quick summaries of Episodes 21-30. 21. SOAT for OUD: Short-Acting Opioid Agonists for Opioid Use Disorder: Safety and preliminary outcomes of short-acting opioid agonist treatment (sOAT) for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder  22. Contingency Management for Coronary Artery Disease: High-risk Coronary Plaque Regression in Cash-based Contingency Management Intervention Among Cocaine User...

In episode 30 we discuss an article about racial differences in the receipt of medications for opioid use disorder. Barnett ML, Meara E, Lewinson T, Hardy B, Chyn D, Onsando M, Huskamp HA, Mehrotra A, Morden NE. Racial Inequality in Receipt of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. N Engl J Med. 2023 May 11;388(19):1779-1789. We also talk about opioid poisonings among children under 6, and the Canna...

In episode 29 we discuss an article about using varenicline and counseling for vaping cessation.. Caponnetto, P., Campagna, D., Ahluwalia, J.S. et al. Varenicline and counseling for vaping cessation: a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Med 21, 220 (2023). In other vaping-related news: From NYSCSH: Vape pens that look like highlighters From the Surgeon General:...

In episode 28 we discuss an article about pain and addiction recovery. Ajay Manhapra, Elina A. Stefanovics, Taeho Greg Rhee, Robert A. Rosenheck, Persistence of significant pain interference following substance use disorder remission: Negative association with psychosocial and physical recovery, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 232, 2022, 109339, ISSN 0376-8716,  We also discuss top-selling fla...

In episode 27 we discuss an article about the risk of developing opioid use disorder after the first opioid prescription. Kendler, K., Lönn, S., Ektor-Andersen, J., Sundquist, J., & Sundquist, K. (2022). Risk factors for the development of opioid use disorder after first opioid prescription: A Swedish national study. Psychological Medicine, 1-9. From JAMA: Physicians’ actions to help end the natio...

26. We discuss a new conceptual model of addiction recovery. Pytell, J.D., Chander, G., Thakrar, A.P. et al. Pytell, J.D., Chander, G., Thakrar, A.P. et al. Does a Survivorship Model of Opioid Use Disorder Improve Public Stigma or Policy Support? A General Population Randomized Experiment. J GEN INTERN MED 38, 1638–1646 (2023). We also talk about choosing wisely in addiction medicine. What would b...

25. We discuss an article about high-dose buprenorphine induction. Herring AA, Vosooghi AA, Luftig J, et al. High-Dose Buprenorphine Induction in the Emergency Department for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(7):e2117128. From NPR: Drugmaker Mallinckrodt may renege on $1.7 billion opioid settlement ---------- This podcast offers category 1 and MATE-ACT CME credits through MI...

24. We discuss updated data on the harms of smoking and the benefits of quitting. Thomson B, Emberson J, Lacey B, et al. Association Between Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Mortality by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex Among US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2231480. We also discuss the drug supply shift from heroin to fentanyl, and how California wants to decriminalize psychedelics. CDC: Rapid Analy...

23. We discuss an article about the Eat-Sleep-Console approach to treat neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Young LW, Ounpraseuth ST, et. al. ACT NOW Collaborative. Eat, Sleep, Console Approach or Usual Care for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal. N Engl J Med. 2023 Apr 30. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2214470. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37125831. We also share how even nematodes get the endocannabinoid munchies,...

22. Contingency Management for Coronary Artery Disease 22: We discuss an article about contingency management and the regression of coronary plaques in HIV+ cocaine users. Lai, Hong PhD; Bluemke, David A. MD; Fishman, Elliot K. MD; Gerstenblith, Gary MD; Celentano, David D. ScD; Treisman, Glenn MD; Foster, Parker MS; Mandler, Raul MD; Khalsa, Jag MS, PhD; Chen, Shaoguang MS; Bhatia, Sandeepan MD;...

21: We discuss an article about using short-acting opioids to treat opioid use disorder in the hospital. Thakrar, A.P., Uritsky, T.J., Christopher, C. et al. Safety and preliminary outcomes of short-acting opioid agonist treatment (sOAT) for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder. Addict Sci Clin Pract 18, 13 (2023).  We also discuss compulsory addiction treatment: Why involuntary treatmen...

What We Learned at ASAM2023 In this episode, we share what we learned at the 2023 American Society of Addiction Medicine Conference. Some links from the conference that you might like: Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast ToxIC: Toxicology Investigators Consortium DrugsData from the Erowid Center CESAR: Center for Substance Use, Addiction, and Health Research  --------- Episode Credits: Original...

11-20 Round-up Super busy? Here are quick summaries of the last 10 articles. Article list: 11. Impact of wine bottle and glass sizes on wine consumption at home: a within- and between- households randomized controlled trial 12. Association of Methamphetamine and Opioid Use With Nonfatal Overdose in Rural Communities 13. Prescription opioids and longitudinal changes in cognitive function in older a...

20. Targeted Naltrexone for Binge Drinking In episode 20 we discuss an article about taking naltrexone as needed to reduce binge drinking among sexual and gender minority men. Santos GM, Ikeda J, Coffin P, Walker J, Matheson T, Ali A, McLaughlin M, Jain J, Arenander J, Vittinghoff E, Batki S. Targeted Oral Naltrexone for Mild to Moderate Alcohol Use Disorder Among Sexual and Gender Minority Men: A...