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

December 2023

Hello Anna,


SAMHSA released key findings from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) on substance use, mental health, and treatment among the noninstitutionalized US population aged 12 or older. One key finding illustrated that among people aged 12 or older in 2022 who were classified as needing substance use treatment in the past year, only 24% (13.1 million people) received substance use treatment in the past year. Explore the full report and an infographic of the main findings here.


A recent study in JAMA reveals an increase in drug overdose deaths among 10 to 44 year-old pregnant or recently pregnant women between 2018 to 2021. Overdose mortality in the 35 to 44 age group tripled during this period, rising to 15.8 deaths per 100,000 mothers. More than 60% of these deaths occurred outside healthcare settings, highlighting potential barriers to care for pregnant women with substance use disorders. In a NIDA news release, study co-author and NIDA Science Policy Branch Chief, Emily Einstein, PhD, states,


“Stigmatizing and penalizing women with substance use disorders makes it very hard for them to seek help for drug use and receive routine prenatal care. Effective treatments and medical services exist – unfettered access is needed to help mothers and children survive.”


In addition to removing barriers to SUD care for pregnant people, it is imperative that healthcare providers have high quality guidance necessary to support this population. The MACS team of addiction medicine and OBGYN experts are equipped to support healthcare providers and teams in caring for perinatal patients with SUD.


As 2023 concludes, we take stock of several program milestones since MACS launched in 2017:

  • Enrolled over 3,100 providers across all 24 counties
  • Responded to over 1,500 clinical consultations
  • Conducted over 390 trainings with more than 7,500 attendees
  • Hosted over 90 ECHO Clinics for primary care, maternal health, and opioid treatment program providers and teams
  • Created educational campaigns and materials covering legislative updates on buprenorphine prescribing, mandatory DEA training, and guidance related to cannabis legalization


Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a healthy 2024!


The MACS Team

EDUCATION

Upcoming Opportunities

Save the dates for the following MACS webinars

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MACS & BHIPP Webinar

Trends in Adolescent Substance Use: Identification, Screening, and Treatment Planning 

Thursday, January 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm


Presented by MACS Consultant, Marc Fishman, MD

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MACS for MOMs Webinar

Considerations in Perinatal Substance Use Treatment: Patient Education and Ethical Issues 

Friday, January 26 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm


Presented by MACS for MOMs Consultant, Katie Mark, MD, FACOG

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MACS Webinar

Taking the Sting out of Pain Management: Strategies for Assessment and Treatment


Monday, February 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm


Presented by MACS Pain Management Consultant, Sarah Merritt, MD

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BMC Grayken Center for Addiction TTA

Family members and addiction treatment outcomes: Applying research to clinical practice


Thursday, December 7 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Register
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AMA Advocacy Insights Webinar Series

Strategies to address the nation’s worsening drug overdose and death epidemic


Tuesday, December 12 | 12:30 pm

Register
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Opioid Operational Command Center

Community Overdose Action Town Hall Series


Visit the website to view the upcoming dates

Details
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AOAAM On Demand Webinar

Operationalizing a Definition of Precipitated Withdrawal and the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination of Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl

Watch

MACS ECHO Clinics

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

Opioid Treatment Program ECHO

Linkage to Care



Wednesday, December 6

12:30 pm -1:30 pm

Register
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Maternal Health ECHO

Motivational Interviewing


Tuesday, December 12

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Register
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Substance Use Disorder ECHO

Stigma: Using the Right Words to Support Patients with OUD



Wednesday, December 13

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Register

In Case You Missed It...

Systematic Screening for PTSD: The First Obstacle to (and Opportunity for) Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in a Substance Use Clinic

Watch

NEWS

Pregnancy and Postpartum Drug Overdose Deaths in the US Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic


Among pregnant and postpartum women aged 35 to 44, overdose mortality more than tripled between 2018 to 2021.


Read more...

Intergenerational Trauma and Structural Racism: New Mentorship Approaches to HIV and Substance Use Prevention and Treatment


The articles in this AJPH special issue aim to deepen understanding of how structural racism and intergenerational trauma manifest in racialized US communities, contributing to elevated rates of HIV and substance use.


Read more...

Chronic Pain in the US: New Data


Data from the CDC show in 2020, one in four US adults with chronic pain managed symptoms using solely medication. Despite a decrease in opioid prescribing from 2019 to 2020 and push for medication alternatives, there was no corresponding increase in nonpharmacological therapies.


Read more...

Increases in primary opioid use disorder diagnoses co-occurring with anxiety or depressive disorder diagnoses in mental health treatment in the United States, 2015–2019


"This study highlights increases in adults receiving mental health treatment for OUD having co-occurring anxiety or depression diagnoses, furthering the importance of integrated dual disorder treatment."


Read more...

Words Matter: Avoiding Stigmatizing Language in SUD Treatment


Individuals who use drugs face pervasive societal stigma, particularly damaging when perpetuated by healthcare providers. Learn about the importance of and how to use person-centered language for substance use care in this article and corresponding study.



Read more...

Holidays

MACS Phone Line Will Be Closed

December 25 - Christmas

January 1 - New Years

#MACSpotlight

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Welcome Dr. Benjamin Israel to the MACS team!


Click here to view his MACSpotlight on social media.

Volunteer Day at Chase Brexton

Members of the MACS team organized Thanksgiving meals and restocked the food pantry.

December Observances

World AIDS Day

December 1

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RESOURCES

The Role of Low-Threshold Treatment for Patients with OUD in Primary Care

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'Just say no' didn't actually protect students from drugs. Here's what could

Honoring National Native American Heritage Month Resources

Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2021: Admissions To And Discharges From Substance Use Treatment Services Reported By Single State Agencies

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ASAM and AAAP Announce New Clinical Practice Guideline to Address Rising Stimulant Use Disorders

2023 AMA Overdose Epidemic Report

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