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

July 2025

Dear Carson,

Welcome to the July edition of the MACS Monthly Newsletter!

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize disparities in mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for racial and ethnic minority populations. Opioid-related mortality is rising faster in Black/African American and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities compared to white individuals. Factors like unequal access to culturally competent SUD treatment, pervasive healthcare discrimination and the heightened risks from the fentanyl-laced drug supply all contribute to this devastating impact.

Despite recent reported declines in overall overdose deaths, certain groups, such as older Black men, continue to have a higher risk of overdose. These risks are especially high for older Black men in Maryland. NIDA Director Nora Volkow, MD, recently reflected on the alarming reality of how older Black men are disproportionately affected by the overdose crisis. Understanding this disparity is a vital step towards developing targeted and effective interventions to improve the health of all individuals with SUDs.

Providers can access support in caring for patients with SUDs and chronic pain by scheduling an individualized consultation or registering for an upcoming training with the MACS team of addiction medicine specialists. Call 1-855-337-MACS (6227) or visit www.marylandmacs.org to learn more.

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

The MACS Team

MACS IN THE MEDIA

"ASAM Practice Pearls" With Marc Fishman, MD

Check out MACS Consultant Marc Fishman, MD, as he joins the American Society of Addiction Medicine on the latest episode of the ASAM Practice Pearls podcast! Tune in to hear Dr. Fishman discuss strategies for improving youth engagement and retention in MOUD treatment.

Listen Now

NEW FACT SHEET

Starting Buprenorphine:

Tips for Filling Your Prescription in Maryland

The latest fact sheet created by the MACS team provides information to patients about the steps to take when it comes to filling their buprenorphine prescriptions in Maryland.

Click the image below to access Starting Buprenorphine: Tips for Filling Your Prescription in Maryland.

PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENT

July 8th Meeting Reminder

The next meeting of Maryland's Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) Advisory Council will be held virtually next Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 1 to 2 p.m. Questions and public comment may be sent by email to StopOverdose@maryland.gov.

Join the Meeting

Membership Opening

The ORF Advisory Council is currently accepting applications to fill an upcoming membership opening. If you are interested in serving on the ORF Advisory Council, please see the position details below on how to apply. The ORF Advisory Council is required to have broad representation from individuals with diverse backgrounds. Read more about the responsibilities of the council and its membership requirements.

Currently Accepting Applications for an Upcoming Opening:

An individual who represents a community-based opioid treatment program.

To apply for this vacancy, please complete the online application through the Governor’s Appointments Office.

EDUCATION

Upcoming MACS Training Opportunities

MACS Webinar

Presented in partnership with Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care (BHIPP)

Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder in Youth

Thursday, September 25 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by MACS Consultant Marc Fishman, MD

Save the date! Registration link coming soon.

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center

Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment

Tuesday, July 8 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Improving Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents & Young Adults

Wednesday, July 9 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

National Alliance for HIV Education and Workforce Development

Updates on Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine for People with Opioid Use Disorder

Friday, July 11 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CA Bridge

Engaging Special Populations: LGBTQ+

Thursday, July 24 | 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.

Maternal Health

Motivational Interviewing

Christopher Welsh, MD

Tuesday, July 8

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Opioid Treatment Program

The Role of Opioid Antagonists in Opioid Use Disorder

Devang Gandhi, MD

Wednesday, July 9

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Substance Use Disorders

Addressing Tobacco Use in the Context of Other Substance Use Disorders

Bethea Kleykamp, PhD

Wednesday, July 16

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective

Trauma and Suicide Risk in Opioid Use Disorder

Max Spaderna, MD

Wednesday, July 23

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

NEWS

Initiating Injectable Buprenorphine in People Hospitalized With Infections

This clinical trial examined whether starting injectable long-acting buprenorphine, combined with infectious disease care, would increase the number of hospitalized patients who received medications for opioid use disorder treatment. The study found no significant difference in the proportion of patients receiving MOUD between the two groups across 12 weeks. This suggests that, while a hospital stay is an important chance to address opioid use, this specific approach didn’t have a clear advantage over standard care.

The genetic relationship between cannabis use disorder, cannabis use and psychiatric disorders

A recent genetic study revealed that cannabis use disorder, rather than casual cannabis use, is strongly and causally linked to several severe psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD. The research found bidirectional causal relationships, meaning cannabis use disorder increases the risk of these mental health conditions, and some psychiatric disorders (like major depressive disorder) can increase the risk of developing cannabis use disorder. Notably, the researchers also found no evidence that a genetic predisposition to either cannabis use or cannabis use disorder provides any protective or therapeutic benefit for psychiatric disorders. This finding directly challenges common beliefs, particularly where cannabis is suggested as a treatment for mental health conditions such as PTSD.

Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

This cross-sectional study investigated cannabis use among U.S. older veterans aged 65 to 84 years. The study found 10% of respondents reported cannabis use in the past 30 days. Among these recent users, more than one-third (36%) met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Key findings indicated that factors associated with recent cannabis use include younger age (65-75 years of age within this group), economic hardship, concurrent tobacco or illicit drug use and residing in a state where recreational cannabis is legal. Furthermore, risk factors for cannabis use disorder among older veterans were similar to those seen in younger populations, with higher odds observed among younger respondents, those reporting anxiety, individuals with deficits in daily living activities, those with illicit drug use and those who used cannabis frequently. The study also highlighted that inhaled cannabis use (smoking, vaping, dabbing) was significantly associated with increased odds of cannabis use disorder compared to using edibles only.

RDS-04-010: a novel atypical DAT inhibitor that inhibits cocaine taking and seeking and itself has low abuse potential in experimental animals

This study tested a new experimental drug, RDS 04 010, in animals as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction. Unlike cocaine, it locks the brain’s dopamine transporter into a shape that doesn’t cause a ‘high,’ making it less likely to lead addiction. The study found that RDS 04 010 reduced cocaine use and drug seeking behavior in rats, prevented relapse, and didn’t affect normal activities like eating or moving. This study shows that targeting a specific form of DAT might reduce cocaine use in humans without being addictive. It’s a promising step toward finding safe, effective medications for cocaine addiction, an area where no approved treatments currently exist.

RESOURCES

Dear Colleague Letter: Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Naloxone Guide (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

New Buprenorphine for OUD Labels Clarify Higher Doses Appropriate for Some Patients (American Society of Addiction Medicine)

Nora's Blog: Advancing Recovery Research (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

1-855-337-MACS (6227) | www.marylandmacs.org | MACS@som.umaryland.edu