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

March 2025

Dear Carson,

Welcome to the March edition of the MACS Monthly Newsletter!

It is Social Work Month, a time to recognize the invaluable role of social workers in treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). These dedicated professionals provide a comprehensive range of services, including initial screening and assessment, ongoing case management, individual and family counseling, crisis intervention and advocacy. They work to empower individuals in their recovery journeys, support families affected by substance use and educate future generations of social workers specializing in addiction treatment.

According to two studies conducted by the National Association of Social Workers, 71 to 87% of social workers have reported working with clients who have substance use disorders. This statistic underscores the need for resources to support these professionals, and MACS is grateful for all of the social workers in Maryland providing essential care.

Additionally, we are celebrating the 5-year anniversary of the launch of MACS ECHO Clinics this month! In partnership with the University of New Mexico, which created the Project ECHO model, MACS and MACS for MOMs ECHO Clinic learning communities have supported providers working in a variety of practice settings. These learning communities include Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), Maternal Health, Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective.

More information about upcoming ECHO Clinics and topics can be found in the section featured below in this newsletter. To register for these collaborative educational opportunities that expand access to substance use care, visit our ECHO webpage.

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

MACS Medical Director and Consultant Eric Weintraub, MD, recently spoke to local media outlets about the decrease in fatal overdoses statewide in 2024.

Check out the published articles by clicking the headlines or images below:

EDUCATION

Upcoming MACS Training Opportunities

MACS Webinar

Alcohol Use Disorder Review, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Pharmacologic Treatments/Pitfalls

Friday, March 7 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by MACS Consultant Avinash Ramprashad, MD

MACS for MOMs Webinar

In partnership with Circle of Hope and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Alcohol Use in Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Tuesday, March 18 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by MACS for MOMs Consultant Courtney Townsel, MD, MS

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

ASAM eLearning

Created in partnership with MACS for MOMs Consultant Katrina Mark, MD, FACOG, FASAM

Women & Addiction

Prerecorded, virtual training

Compass Health Center

The Trauma-Addiction Connection: Understanding and Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

Tuesday, March 4 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Maryland Harm Reduction Training Institute

Stigma, Trauma, and People Who Use Drugs

Wednesday, March 5 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

NAADAC

Marijuana Legalization and the Prevention of Youth Cannabis Use

Wednesday, March 12 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Grayken Center for Addiction Training & TA

Zeroing in on Xylazine

Wednesday, March 26 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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

Motivational Interviewing

Christopher Welsh, MD

Wednesday, March 5

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Maternal Health

Urine Drug Testing

Christopher Welsh, MD

Tuesday, March 11

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Substance Use Disorders

Marijuana Use in Pregnancy

Courtney Townsel, MD

Wednesday, March 19

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective

Community Engagement

Marik Moen, PhD, MPH, RN

Wednesday, March 26

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Maryland Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians Educational Conference and Annual Meeting

Thursday, March 27

University of Maryland, Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland

MACS exhibit table

Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians Pharmacology Update Conference 2025

Saturday, March 29

Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold, Maryland

MACS exhibit table

NEWS

Continuation versus Interruption of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Adult Veterans Undergoing Surgery: Examination of Postoperative Pain and Opioid Utilization in a National Retrospective Cohort Study

This retrospective cohort study, conducted across VA facilities nationwide, reported findings on the impact of continuing versus interrupting buprenorphine/naloxone in veterans undergoing surgery. The study demonstrated no clinically meaningful difference in postoperative pain scores between the two groups, supporting recently published guidelines recommending continuation of this medication throughout the perioperative period.

Integrated Nicotine Replacement and Behavioral Support to Reduce Smoking in Opioid Agonist Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

A recent clinical trial found that integrating nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral support into opioid use disorder treatment significantly reduces smoking rates among patients. Given that a majority of individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy smoke tobacco, this approach could substantially improve health outcomes in this population.

Buprenorphine, Pain, and Opioid Use in Patients Taking High-Dose Long-Term Opioids: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of buprenorphine on pain and opioid use in patients taking high-dose, long-term opioids. The study aimed to determine if offering the option of switching to buprenorphine from their existing high-dose opioid regimen could impact pain levels and overall opioid consumption in this patient population. Findings revealed outcomes did not differ significantly between groups; buprenorphine was not associated with better pain among patients in the option arm. Both groups experienced small improvements in pain and substantial reductions in opioid dosage, although relatively few participants ultimately transitioned to buprenorphine.

Cannabis Use Disorder Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations and 5-Year Mortality

This cohort study of 11.6 million individuals, followed for a median of five years, investigated whether individuals receiving hospital-based care (emergency department or hospitalization) for cannabis use disorder (CUD) were at increased risk of death. Researchers found that individuals with incident hospital-based care for CUD had a 2.8-fold increased risk of death within five years compared to the general population. These results suggest that individuals requiring hospital-based care for CUD may be at increased risk of premature death.

Adverse childhood experiences, insecure attachment, and appointment compliance in an outpatient addiction psychiatry treatment population

This study investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and insecure attachment styles, and it explored how they may predict treatment engagement among patients an integrated dual diagnosis treatment clinic. With appointment compliance measured for 6 months post-intake, the study examined whether a history of ACEs and/or insecure attachment patterns were associated with poorer attendance and adherence to both psychotherapeutic and medication appointments. This research sheds light on crucial factors influencing treatment engagement in patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial explored the efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide, a medication typically used for diabetes and weight loss, in adults with alcohol use disorder. The study investigated whether semaglutide, relative to placebo, could reduce alcohol consumption and craving in adults with alcohol use disorder. Over the 9-week treatment period, semaglutide led to reductions in some, but not all, measures of weekly consumption, significantly reduced weekly alcohol craving and led to greater relative reductions in cigarettes per day in a subgroup of participants with current cigarette use.

RESOURCES

Governor Moore Announces Dramatic Decrease in Fatal Overdoses in Maryland in 2024 (The Office of Governor Wes Moore)

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week toolkit (NIDA)

Social Media Toolkit for Social Work Month 2025 (NASW)

Video: 988 Around the U.S. (SAMHSA)

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