Intro to OUD Treatment - Dr. Sarah Spencer - 01.04.24-Intro to OUD Treatment

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Sarah Spencer provides an overview of the treatment of opioid use disorder. She discusses the guidelines, common misconceptions, and the efficacy of medication for treating opioid use disorder. Dr. Spencer emphasizes that addiction is a treatable chronic medical disease and highlights the importance of prevention and treatment efforts. She explains how trauma and adverse childhood events are correlated with the risk of developing a substance use disorder. Dr. Spencer also discusses the neurochemical changes in the brain that occur with chronic opioid use. She emphasizes the importance of medication in reducing mortality and the risk of relapse. Dr. Spencer highlights the stigma surrounding medications like buprenorphine and methadone, and addresses the misconception that medication treatment is merely substituting one addiction for another. She also discusses the benefits and considerations of different medications used to treat opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Dr. Spencer goes on to discuss the new guidelines for treating opioid use disorder, including the option for home initiation of buprenorphine and the importance of prioritizing medication compliance and patient retention. She also addresses specific issues that may arise in treatment, such as scheduling difficulties, medication compliance, poly substance use, and involvement in the criminal justice or child welfare system. Dr. Spencer also touches on the importance of drug testing as a tool to guide treatment and address medication compliance. She discusses the types of drug tests available and the interpretation of results, emphasizing the importance of confirming results with a medical review officer. Dr. Spencer concludes by highlighting the need for clear expectations and communication with patients about drug testing and the importance of prioritizing patient access to medication.

Keywords

opioid use disorder

treatment

medication

addiction

chronic medical disease

prevention

trauma

neurochemical changes

buprenorphine

methadone