Monitoring buprenorphine in patients on medication-assisted treatment.

Background: Buprenorphine is used for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence.

Purpose: Monitoring of medication adherence involves testing of urine or oral fluid for the drug or its metabolite.

Methods: Quantitative results using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer testing defined the excretion pattern of the drug and its metabolites.

Follow-Up: Effects of a Pandemic and Isolation on Alcohol and Psychoactive Medication Use in a Population of Rehabilitation and Pain Patients.

Objective: The conjunction of the coronavirus disease lockdown and the use of illicit drugs suggests the potential increase in drug usage and opioid deaths. Because of other studies, we felt the need to examine if the lockdown has caused a change in the drug intake of our population of substance abuse and pain management patients. Our initial study indicated no increase in the use of illicit and antianxiety drugs.

Effects of a Pandemic and Isolation on Alcohol and Psychoactive Medication Use in a Population of Rehabilitation and Pain Patients.

Objective: The conjunction of the coronavirus disease lockdown and the use of illicit drugs suggests the potential increase in drug usage and opioid deaths. Because of other studies, we felt the need to examine if the lockdown has caused a change in the drug intake of our population of substance abuse and pain management patients.

Materials: Urine drug testing is a strategy to reduce harm to patients in pain management and substance abuse treatment programs.