Methadone treatment for OUD typically comes with a high level of supervision whereas buprenorphine is often flexibly dosed and taken at home. Here researchers wanted to know how patients of a closely supervised methadone clinic compared with those taking buprenorphine prescribed in an office setting. The findings might surprise you.

The process of starting a patient on buprenorphine, called an induction, can be a bit tricky and puts a patient at risk of a precipitated opioid withdrawal. In this article, we discuss the three most common buprenorphine induction approaches, review the pros and cons of each, and include straightforward guidance that will help you perform a successful buprenorphine induction for your patients.

Nootropics are a broad class of medications encompassing many different mechanisms of action that are marketed as cognitive enhancers. Not only do most nootropics lack evidence of efficacy, but some can have dangerous side effects and addictive potential. Here, we discuss some of the most concerning nootropics being widely used today.

Pregnant patients with OUD may be reluctant to reveal their substance use for fear of losing their baby if reported to Child Protective Services. But this recent study shows that pregnant patients receiving medication treatment for OUD were more likely to leave the hospital with their baby than patients not receiving treatment.

Recent preliminary research reveals that psilocybin helped participants with alcohol use disorder cut back on drinking. Dive in to discover how this psychedelic compound might offer hope for patients who have found other current treatments ineffective.

Despite their risks, benzodiazepines remain a widely prescribed class of medication. In the prescriber right hands, benzodiazepines can help many patients cope with a variety of psychiatric issues. Here, Dr. Park reviews how to evaluate patients prior to starting benzodiazepines and reviews strategies to ensure that prescriptions are done safely.

Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed but carry significant risks. The best course of action for many patients is to have their benzodiazepine prescription discontinued, but physiologic dependence can make stopping benzodiazepines a big challenge. Dr. Abeillera teaches us how to identify those who might benefit from a taper and covers all the details on how to do it as safely and effectively as possible.