DACS Digest February 2025

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Bringing DC healthcare providers the latest news, events, and resources to improve care for patients with substance use disorders and chronic pain management.

February 2025

Dear DACS Provider,

Welcome to the February edition of the DACS Monthly Newsletter!

A recently published article in the International Journal of Drug Policy examined the relationship between state-level opioid policies and opioid overdose deaths in the United States from 2013 to 2020. The findings suggest that the implementation of stronger harm reduction measures, such as increasing access to naloxone and establishing Good Samaritan Laws, were associated with a reduced risk of opioid overdose deaths. Conversely, early in the study period (2013-2016), opioid prescribing restrictions were associated with higher overdose rates.

The study supports DACS' role in promoting access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and expanding practices' capacities through technical assistance. By providing education and support to healthcare providers on the appropriate use of MOUD and addressing potential barriers to its implementation, DACS improves access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with opioid use disorders (OUDs).

In addition, Children of Addiction Awareness Week (February 9 – February 15) takes place this month and is a reminder of the unique challenges faced by children who grow up in homes affected by substance use.

According to the National Association for Children of Addiction, youth with a parent who has a substance use disorder (SUD) are more prone to experience anxiety, depression, confusion and anger. In addition, those with a parent who has an SUD are the most likely group of children to develop SUDs themselves due to both genetic and environmental factors.

Explore this newsletter and the additional resources and tools available on the DACS website for additional information about provider education and treatment resources.

Sincerely,

The DACS Team

Education

Upcoming DACS Trainings

DACS Webinar: Management of Opioid Use disorder: Update on the Changing Clinical and Regulatory Landscape

Thursday, February 13th | 12:00 –1:00 p.m.

Presented by DACS Consultant, Devang Gandhi, MD

Additional Trainings of Interest

Grayken Center for Addiction Training & Technical Assistance

Alcohol Use Disorders 101

Friday, February 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Clinical Essentials on Increasing Motivation and Decreasing Stigma Among Youth With Substance Use Disorders

Prerecorded, virtual training

Craving changes in first 14 days of addiction treatment: an outcome predictor of 5 years substance use status?

This study examined the predictive value of early craving changes on long-term substance use outcomes in individuals undergoing addiction treatment. Using an Ecological Momentary Assessment approach, researchers collected real-time data on craving intensity and substance use from participants during the initial 14 days of treatment. The study found that individuals experiencing a slower decrease in craving intensity and lower craving inertia (the tendency for craving to persist) during this crucial period were more likely to exhibit increased substance use five years later. These findings suggest that the trajectory and dynamics of craving during the early stages of treatment may serve as valuable predictors of long-term treatment success.

Trends in Buprenorphine Dispensing Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the US

This study analyzed buprenorphine dispensing trends among adolescents and young adults (ages 10-24) in the US from 2020 to 2023. While dispensing increased among adolescents, particularly those aged 10 to 19, it significantly decreased among young adults. This suggests potential disparities in access to and utilization of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder within this age group. Despite recent policy changes aimed at improving access, such as expanded telehealth prescribing and the elimination of waiver requirements, these changes may have had a differential impact on adolescents and young adults. Key findings include significant increases in dispensing among some prescriber specialties among adolescents, while others, particularly among young adults, experienced significant decreases. Nurse practitioners were the most frequent prescribers of buprenorphine to this population.

Cannabis Use and Trajectories of Depression and Stress Across the Prenatal Period

This cohort study recruited pregnant individuals at an obstetric clinic at an academic hospital between July 2019 and January 2024. The study investigated the relationship between prenatal cannabis use and changes in depression and stress during pregnancy. Findings revealed no significant association between prenatal cannabis use and changes in depression or stress trajectories, even among those using cannabis to cope with mental health problems. While individuals using cannabis for mental health reasons had higher initial depression scores, their rate of depression decline was not significantly different from those who did not use cannabis. These findings suggest that prenatal cannabis use does not necessarily accelerate the rate of change in depression or stress during pregnancy and emphasize the importance of providing pregnant individuals with access to effective and evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions.

Holidays and Observances

Holidays

DACS Phone Line Will Be Closed

February 17 – Presidents' Day

January Observances

Children of Addiction Awareness Week

February 9 – February 15

Relevant Resources

DACS Fact Sheet: Adolescents and Substance Use

Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Patients

A screening and resource guide for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers in the District of Columbia, prepared by the MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare.

Opioid Use Disorder During and After Pregnancy

A patient resource guide on tips for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Care for the Caregiver

A guide for caregivers of pregnant and postpartum patients with opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders.

Pocket Guides for Safe Opioid Prescribing

Contains a number of resources to providers, including: CDC guidelines for safe opioid prescribing, a Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) conversion chart, a checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and additional resources for providers and patients.

The DC Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (DC PDMP)

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) aims to improve the District’s ability to identify and reduce diversion of prescription drugs in an efficient and cost effective manner that will not impede the appropriate medical utilization of controlled substances.

Live.Long.DC

A coordinated multi-stakeholder approach to comprehensively address the opioid epidemic by sharing data, discussing initiatives and best practices, and identifying common approaches. The initiative is led by the DC Department of Behavioral Health with a goal of reducing opioid use, misuse, and opioid-related deaths in DC. For more information about Live.Long.DC strategies and initiatives, visit: https://livelong.dc.gov/

1-866-337-DACS (3227) | www.districtdacs.org | dacs@som.umaryland.edu