The role of recovery peer navigators in retention in outpatient buprenorphine treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities are evident in the accessibility of treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Even when medications for OUD (MOUD) are accessible, racially and ethnically minoritized groups have higher attrition rates from treatment. Existing literature has primarily identified the specific racial and ethnic groups affected by these disparities, but has not thoroughly examined interventions to address this gap.

A survey of barriers and facilitators to the adoption of buprenorphine prescribing after implementation of a New Jersey-wide incentivized DATA-2000 waiver training program.

Background: Opioid-involved overdose deaths continue to rise in the US, despite availability of highly effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), in part due to the insufficient number of treatment providers. Barriers include the need for providers to gain expertise and confidence in providing MOUD to their patients who need these treatments. To mitigate this barrier, New Jersey sponsored a buprenorphine training program with financial incentives for participation, which met the then existing requirement for the DATA-2000 waiver.

Drug and Alcohol Use in Trauma Patients Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Since the implementation of national stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been rising concerns regarding prolonged social isolation that many individuals face. Given the link between increased stress and alcohol and drug use, our study investigated admission trends and patterns of alcohol and drug use in trauma patients.

Methods: This was a single center, retrospective cohort study comparing trauma patients admitted before the pandemic and during the first wave.

Satisfaction with group-based appointments among patients with opioid use disorder in an urban buprenorphine clinic.

Successful implementation of group-based appointments can increase capacity to treat patients, reduce costs, and improve productivity. We sought to understand the acceptability of group-based appointments for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an urban clinical setting that treats predominantly ethnic minority populations. A survey collecting data on demographics, substance use, co-morbid psychiatric conditions, and satisfaction with group-based opioid treatment (GBOT) was conducted among patients 18 years and older with OUD attending an urban buprenorphine clinic between December 2019 and February 2020.

DATA 2000 waiver training for medical students: Lessons learned from a medical school experience.

In the midst of this national opioid crisis, it has become apparent that there is a large shortage in the workforce of treatment providers equipped to deliver evidence-based care for opioid use disorders (OUD). Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as buprenorphine, are crucial in reducing mortality in those with OUD, and yet prescribers must meet federal waiver requirements under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000). There are now several pathways for medical schools to satisfy these waiver requirements for all graduates, but this has not yet become widespread.

Changes in psychiatry residents' attitudes towards individuals with substance use disorders over the course of residency training.

Background And Objectives: Psychiatry residents provide care for individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders (SUDs). Small studies have shown that clinicians in general possess negative attitudes towards these dually diagnosed individuals. This is a serious concern, as clinicians' stigmatizing attitudes towards individuals with mental illnesses may have a particularly potent adverse impact on treatment.

Improving Psychiatry Residents' Attitudes Toward Individuals Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders.

Special attention needs to be paid to the attitudes of psychiatry residents toward individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. The attitudes of trainees may be worse toward these individuals than toward individuals with other diagnoses, and these attitudes may worsen over time. While psychiatry residencies are increasingly teaching residents about how to diagnosis and treat individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders, more attention needs to be paid to educating residents about common attitudes toward these individuals.

Intensive ketamine use for multiple years: A case report.

Ketamine is known within the medical field for its anesthetic properties, yet its unique psychedelic and antidepressant properties are being increasingly recognized. We document the case of a patient with bipolar I disorder and an extensive history of substance dependence who used large doses of ketamine (1-3 g) on a daily basis over a period of 5 years, and described acute antidepressant effects as well as diminished cravings for alcohol. While his use was untenable and ultimately led to an inpatient admission, it is notable that he did not experience a withdrawal syndrome nor did he have any observable cognitive deficits upon cessation of use.

Transference-focused psychotherapy in the general psychiatry residency: a useful and applicable model for residents in acute clinical settings.

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a manualized, psychodynamic treatment for severe personality disorders. Training in TFP during residency can provide a readily applicable model for understanding and treating personality pathology in a variety of settings, even for residents who do not obtain additional training in psychodynamic treatments or go on to practice psychotherapy. Although TFP was developed as a long-term outpatient treatment, the authors have found the diagnostic and theoretical framework and the clinical techniques described in the TFP treatment manual to be useful in acute settings, even when the clinician does not have a clearly established relationship with the patient.