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The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits. Read More

Note From the Editor-in-Chief

Our patients—and we—are spending more time in front of screens, using apps, and reading content in the lay press about treatment options. “Should I use an app to help reduce substance use?” or “I read somewhere that this herb can help; what are your thoughts?” or “Have you read your... Read More

Smartphone Apps as Adjuncts for Substance Use Treatment

Smartphone apps are a useful, patient-centered resource for continued substance use treatment. We’ll explore the two current FDA-cleared SUD treatment apps as well as other popular ones on the market to help you determine the best approach for discussing these apps with your patients. Read More

Alternative Therapies for SUDs

Not all alternative therapies are created equal. In this interview with Dr. Steven Novella, we discuss the prevalence of alternative therapies among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) as well as the state of evidence for (or against) commonly utilized forms of complementary and alternative treatments for SUDs. Read More

When to Stop Addiction Treatment: How Long Is Enough?

Addiction is often lifelong phenomenon, but many patients may still wish to end treatment. We discuss the reasons why a patient might ask to “complete” their treatment and provide you with strategies for talking with patients about ceasing therapeutic treatments for substance use disorders. Read More

Opioid Use Disorders and Serious Mental Illness

Those with serious mental illness and unhealthy opioid use have special treatment considerations due to polypharmacy and overlapping stigma. Dr. Gomez-Luna walks us through these nuances and explains microdosing of buprenorphine—a helpful technique for starting treatment in patients who may have other opioids on board. Read More

Can Assertive Treatment Improve Treatment Adherence in Young Adults With Opioid Use Disorder?

Adherence may often limit effectiveness of medications for opioid use disorder among youth. In this randomized controlled trial, young adults with opioid use disorder were randomized to either youth opioid recovery support (an assertive intervention designed to increase adherence) or treatment as usual, both involving extended-release naltrexone. Read More

Does Low to Moderate Alcohol Drinking Help or Hurt Cognition?

We’re often presented with mixed messages regarding mild or moderate alcohol consumption and its effect on brain and/or cardiovascular health. This current study tracks alcohol consumption and its effects on cognition performance among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. Read More

Patient Reviews of Substance Use Services

What is important to patients as they choose a treatment setting? This retrospective analysis examines online ratings and reviews that patients in specific Pennsylvania drug treatment facilities completed from 2010-2018 to assist in identifying quality metrics. Read More