The latest in substance use disorders and pain management education for healthcare providers

May 2025

Dear Carson,

Welcome to the May edition of the MACS Monthly Newsletter!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to enhance understanding of mental health conditions and highlight available resources for individuals and families. The co-occurrence of mental health disorders and substance use disorders is a significant issue, with each often impacting the other. This is underscored by the fact that in the United States, over a third (35%) of adults who have a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. Addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders is critical for improving patient outcomes, as untreated mental health conditions can often worsen substance use.

For support in caring for patients with co-occurring mental health disorders and substance use disorders, providers can schedule an individualized consultation or register for an upcoming training with the MACS team of addiction medicine specialists by calling 1-855-337-MACS (6227) or visit www.marylandmacs.org.

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

The MACS Team

MACS FACT SHEET

High-dose Buprenorphine: Clinical Considerations

Do you have questions about the effectiveness of high-dose buprenorphine?

This new fact sheet created by the MACS team highlights the background and clinical considerations behind how some patients may benefit from higher doses.

Click the image below to access High-dose Buprenorphine: Clinical Considerations.

EDUCATION

Upcoming MACS Training Opportunities

MACS for MOMs Webinar

An Overview of Treatment for Substance Use Disorders During Pregnancy

Tuesday, May 6 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by MACS for MOMs Medical Director Christopher Welsh, MD

MACS Webinar

In observance of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4 – May 10)

Approaches to Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders in Youth

Thursday, May 8 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by MACS Consultant Marc Fishman, MD

MACS Webinar

Extended 1.5-hour webinar with in-depth prescriber content

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Integrated With Primary Care

Thursday, June 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Presented by MACS Consultant Michael Fingerhood, MD

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

Opioid Response Network

In partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics

Overcoming Scarcity in Pediatric Care to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Friday, May 16 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Grayken Center for Addiction Training & TA

Not Being Jaded: Talking to Youth Who Might Be Getting Faded - Unpacking Youth Substance Use

Friday, May 16 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

American Society of Addiction Medicine

Considerations for Tapering Benzodiazepine in Primary Care

Monday, May 19 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CA Bridge

Navigating Chronic Pain & Opioid Use Disorder

Thursday, May 22 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MACS ECHO Sessions

Join our learning communities for continuous case-based discussions and didactic presentations linking expert specialist teams with healthcare providers and their practices. MACS ECHO sessions count toward the required 8-hours of SUD training for DEA license renewal or registration.

Opioid Treatment Program

Methadone and QTc Interval

Devang Gandhi, MD

Wednesday, May 7

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Maternal Health

Cannabis Use and Pregnancy

Courtney Townsel, MD, MS

Tuesday, May 13

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Substance Use Disorders

Addressing Tobacco Use in the Context of Other Substance Use Disorders

Bethea Kleykamp, PhD

Wednesday, May 21

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective

Early Interventions for Comorbid OUD and Trauma-Related Disorder

Benjamin Israel, MD

Wednesday, May 28

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Maryland SBHC Annual Conference

Thursday, May 15

The Meeting House | Columbia, Maryland

MACS exhibit table

MPhA's 143rd Annual Convention

Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8

Grand Hotel | Ocean City, Maryland

MACS exhibit table

NEWS

Pregnancy-Related Deaths in the US, 2018-2022

This cross-sectional analysis of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States from 2018-2022 reveals a concerning rise in maternal mortality, increasing from 25.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 32.6 in 2022. Importantly, the study's cause-specific analysis points to the significant role of substance use in late maternal deaths (those occurring between 43 days and one year postpartum), revealing that mental and behavioral disorders and drug- and alcohol-induced deaths together accounted for 21.2% of these fatalities.

Hospital Addiction Consultation Service and Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: The START Randomized Clinical Trial

A recent randomized clinical trial investigated the effectiveness of a Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START) model in a hospital setting. The study found that patients receiving the START intervention, which included an addiction medicine provider and a care manager offering motivational interviewing, discharge planning, and follow-up, were significantly more likely to receive medication for opioid use disorder during their hospital stay and connect with opioid use disorder care after discharge. This intervention also led to improved rates of OUD-focused discharge plans and increased initiation or continuation of MOUD and outpatient clinician visits post-discharge, strongly supporting the implementation of hospital-based addiction consult services to bridge the gap in OUD treatment for hospitalized patients.

“It's more than just the act of not using. It's a feeling of finally completing something.”: Person-centered definitions of successful treatment outcomes from patients and staff at a methadone treatment program in Baltimore City

A qualitative study in Baltimore City delved into how patients and staff at an outpatient methadone treatment program define successful treatment outcomes. Beyond the traditional focus on abstinence, participants emphasized the significance of achieving a sense of completion and accomplishment in their recovery journey. This research underscores the importance of incorporating person-centered definitions of success in addiction treatment, particularly for marginalized populations facing significant inequities in care, recognizing that meaningful recovery encompasses not just the cessation of substance use but also a feeling of personal fulfillment and progress towards individual goals.

Packaging of Cannabis Edibles, Health Warning Recall, and Perceptions Among Young Adults

This cross-sectional study investigated how the packaging of cannabis edibles influences young adults' ability to recall health warnings and their overall perceptions of these products. Among 4,500 young adults surveyed, the researchers found that plain packaging was significantly linked to a higher likelihood of correctly remembering health warnings, lower product appeal and a greater perception of harm. Conversely, packaging designed to appeal to youth was associated with increased product appeal, and the presence of health claims also boosted appeal. The findings suggest that policymakers should consider mandating plain packaging, prohibiting youth-appealing designs, and regulating unsubstantiated health claims to improve young adults' awareness of risks associated with cannabis edibles