Article
Emerging Threat: Illicit Drugs Adulterated with Xylazine
September 1, 2023
Xylazine is a semi-synthetic, non-opioid, sedative paralytic used in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizer. It’s an alpha agonist, similar in chemical structure to clonidine and dexmetomidine.1 It...
Article
Using Naltrexone for AUD is Safe in Patients With and Without Liver Disease
June 1, 2023
Dr. Hoang Clinical question: Is naltrexone hepatically safe for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in patients with and without liver disease? Background: Treatment of underlying AUD...
Article
Implementation of a Comprehensive Hospitalist-led Initiative to Improve Care for Patients with OUD
May 1, 2023
Clinical question: Can a multidisciplinary, hospitalist-led program improve care for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder (OUD)? Background: Despite rising opioid-related hospitalizations...
Article
Early Treatment with Thiamine and Mortality Among Patients with AUD Who are Hospitalized for Pneumonia
May 1, 2023
Dr. Chace Clinical question: Does early thiamine administration improve mortality outcomes for patients with alcohol use disorder who are hospitalized for pneumonia? Background: Wernicke’s...
Article
Low-dose Buprenorphine Initiation is a Safe and Effective Alternative to Standard-dose Buprenorphine in Hospitalized Patients with OUD
May 1, 2023
Dr. Vuong Clinical question: Is low-dose buprenorphine initiation in hospitalized patients safe and effective for the management of opioid use disorder (OUD)? Background: OUD is a chronic...
Article
Duration of Abstinence from Alcohol Prior to Liver Transplantation Does Not Lead to Increased Survival in Patients with Alcohol-related Liver Disease
March 1, 2023
Clinical question: How does the duration of abstinence from alcohol affect patient survival, allograft survival, and relapse-free survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation? Background:...
Article
Breaking News: X-waiver Eliminated
January 25, 2023
On January 12, 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the immediate elimination of the X-waiver for...
Article
How Do You Address Ongoing In-hospital Substance Use Among Adults with SUD?
October 3, 2022
Case A 28-year-old man with a past medical history notable for severe opioid use disorder and aortic valve endocarditis requiring valve replacement was admitted with recurrent bacteremia, prosthetic...
Article
Recognizing and Treating Substance Use in the Inpatient Setting
July 1, 2022
Presenters: Erin McKnight, MD, MPH, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, Hilary Lin, MD, Children’s Health Orange County, Orange County, Calif., Stephanie Kwon, DO, Medical University...
Article
New HHS Guidance for Increasing Number of Buprenorphine Clinicians Who Can Treat OUD
June 1, 2022
Does your state allow it? The ongoing opioid epidemic The U.S. hit a grim milestone of more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths,1 most opioid-involved, in the 12 months ending April 2021. This...