7847 Everything You Wanted to Know About Substance Use Disorders (But Were Afraid to Ask)-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar titled "Everything You Wanted to Know About Substance Use Disorders, But Were Afraid to Ask" was hosted by Kathy Whalen from the New England Region Opioid Response Network (ORN). It featured Dr. Jamie Meyer, an associate professor at Yale, focusing on substance use disorders, specifically opioid use disorder (OUD), and provided an overview funded by SAMHSA. Key points included:<br /><br />1. <strong>Understanding Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)</strong>: Dr. Meyer emphasized that addiction is a brain disease characterized by craving, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences. SUDs can arise from at-risk substance use and are prevalent among incarcerated populations.<br /><br />2. <strong>Epidemiology</strong>: Data indicates rising rates of SUDs, with alarming increases in mortality from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Disparities exist across racial and geographic lines, with significant impacts on marginalized populations.<br /><br />3. <strong>Innovations and Challenges</strong>: Dr. Meyer highlighted fentanyl’s potency and the emergence of xylosine (a sedative mixed with opioids) contributing to overdose deaths and severe skin infections.<br /><br />4. <strong>Treatment Approaches</strong>: Effective SUD treatment involves combining behavioral therapies, pharmacological management, addressing medical and psychiatric complications, and meeting social needs. Medications for OUD include methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone.<br /><br />5. <strong>Harm Reduction</strong>: Strategies include safe injecting practices, overdose prevention with naloxone, and using syringe services. Educating patients about drug content through fentanyl and xylosine test strips is also crucial.<br /><br />6. <strong>Trauma-Informed Care</strong>: Emphasizing the importance of trauma-responsive, non-stigmatizing care that builds trust and collaboration with patients.<br /><br />The session concluded with an invitation for questions, promoting respectful and inclusive dialogue.

Keywords

Substance Use Disorders

Opioid Use Disorder

Epidemiology

Fentanyl

Xylosine

Treatment Approaches

Harm Reduction

Trauma-Informed Care

SAMHSA