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.
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.
Combining caffeine-based energy drinks and alcohol has become a popular practice among social drinkers over the past decade. Users say that the caffeine enhances their buzz and allows them to drink for longer periods of time.
Yevgeny Botanov, PhD
University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA
Dr. Botanov has disclosed that he is employed by Behavioral Tech, LLC. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.
Chelsey Wilks, MS
University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA
Ms. Wilks has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-known as an effective treatment for individuals with personality disorders and for reducing suicidal behavior. But it’s also quite effective for addictions. In this article, we’ll discuss DBT concepts in a bit more detail and help you apply these concepts to patients with substance abuse issues.
We’re happy to welcome Joshua Sonkiss, MD, as editor-in-chief of The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report. Dr. Sonkiss is a board-certified forensic psychiatrist with a wide range of experience in substance abuse treatment.