...

These days, opiates are primarily prescribed to treat pain. But there is a long history of using opiates to treat depression and other mental illness. Starting in the 700s, Arabian cultures used opium in mental hospitals in Baghdad, Damascus, Fez, and Cairo that also incorporated milieu therapy such as music,...

...

As a clinical psychologist with a specialty in chronic pain management, I am often referred patients with both chronic pain and psychiatric issues. Many of these patients see a psychiatrist and a therapist, and are taking with both psychotropic and pain medications. The referral is often made because there is...

Ideally, an SUD in a health care provider can be recognized as early as possible, before irreparable harm comes to the provider’s career, patients, or family. Overdose and suicide are not uncommon outcomes, and efforts must be focused on preventing these as well as protecting patients.

Ever wish you could improve treatment compliance among your patients who receive buprenorphine? Ever wish you could offer them the benefit of sublingual buprenorphine while avoiding the risk of diversion and abuse? Well, now you can—maybe.

What changes when addressing addiction when the patient is a doctor? When you’re dealing with health care professionals, the defenses common among people struggling with substance abuse are much more sophisticated. Many times a doctor or other highly trained health professional can talk circles around substance abuse counselors. Dr. Ziegler shares her insight on treating health care professionals.

These days, opiates are primarily prescribed to treat pain. But there is a long history of using opiates to treat depression and other mental illness.

Many chronic pain patients are dealing with psychiatric problems. Pain patients have tremendously high rates of major depressive disorder which is undertreated and underdiagnosed. It's easy to assume that the depression is a reaction to living with chronic pain, but in fact it’s often the other way around. Dr. Michael Robert Clark describes evaluations and treatment methods clinicians can use to address pain management with their patients.

Effective pharmacological treatments for cannabis dependence have eluded the field of addiction psychiatry. It’s not, however, due to a lack of trying. Theoretical connections between cannabinoids and the serotonin system have spurred a number of studies looking at the usefulness of SSRIs and buspirone.