Low-threshold Care & Harm Reduction - Dr. Sarah Spencer - 01.04.24.mp4-Low-threshold Care & Harm Reduction

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this lecture, the speaker discusses the importance of harm reduction and low-threshold care in treating individuals with severe substance use and comorbidities. They specifically focus on the intersection of opioid and stimulant use, which has been increasingly common. The speaker highlights that the co-occurrence of fentanyl with stimulants like methamphetamine increases the risk of overdose death. Contrary to popular belief, combining stimulants with opioids does not reduce the risk of overdose; instead, it intensifies the dangerous effects. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand why patients engage in this behavior, which is often to counteract the negative effects of fentanyl. They also address concerns about the diversion of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, and explain that non-prescribed use of buprenorphine is often for medically intended purposes. The speaker emphasizes the importance of reducing barriers to care and increasing access to treatment options, including telemedicine and long-acting injectable buprenorphine. They also discuss the effectiveness of contingency management in treating stimulant use disorder. The lecture concludes by stressing the importance of treating all patients with respect, allowing them to set their own goals, and providing a range of support options based on their individual needs and preferences.

Keywords

harm reduction

low-threshold care

substance use

comorbidities

opioid use

stimulant use

fentanyl

overdose death