PrintThe Talk About Opioids app is a clinical practice simulation in which you will learn and practice effective techniques to identify patients with opioid use disorders (OUD) and discuss symptoms and appropriate treatment options. Read more
Module 1: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD | Director, Psychiatric Emergency Room, VA, Connecticut and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
Provides a basic introduction of the concepts of the disease model of addiction and the role of the reward system. Using neuroscience concepts as a foundation, clinical manifestations of the disease of addiction are then discussed in the form of case-based presentations. Read more
Module 2: Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders
Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD | Director, Psychiatric Emergency Room, VA, Connecticut and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
Outlines the basic concepts of alcohol and drug use disorders. Standard drink sizes, screening for alcohol use disorders and an introduction to alcohol withdrawal management are discussed. A basic overview of the major drug use disorders are then discussed in a clinically-relevant manner. Read more
Module 3: The Opioid Epidemic
Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD | Director, Psychiatric Emergency Room, VA, Connecticut and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
Provides an overview of the history of opioid use with an overview of contributing factors to the current epidemic. Using clinical cases, opioid use disorder is then discussed in detail. Finally, there is a discussion of harm reduction approaches and treatment options. Read more
Module 4: Medication and Behavioral Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD | Director, Psychiatric Emergency Room, VA, Connecticut and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University
Introduces evidence-based clinical practices of pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatments for substance use disorders. Off label medications and psychosocial support programs are also discussed. Read more
Developing a Behavioral Treatment Protocol in Conjunction with MAT (Revised)
Kenneth M. Carpenter, Ph.D. | Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, Center for Motivation and Change, New York, NY;
Nicole Kosanke, Ph.D. | Center for Motivation and Change, New York, NY
This module provides an overview of four principles that may play an important role in facilitating behavior change among substance dependent individuals. The combination of psychosocial and medication assisted treatment protocols can provide an additive benefit to individuals striving to alter their substance use. Read more
Management of Opioid Withdrawal and Overdose (Revised)
Christina Brezing, MD | Assistant Professor, Division on Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute
This module describes the management of opioid withdrawal, including induction on to maintenance medication treatment, and overdose. Given the current dimensions of the opioid epidemic and elevated rates of prescribing high-potency opioids, we will focus on strategies for implementing effective treatments for opioid use disorder.
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Hepatitis A, B & C Prevention and Treatment in Persons who Use Drugs
Sandra A. Springer, MD | Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, Yale School of Medicine
This presentation provides an overview of the epidemiology of Hepatitis A, B and C infection among persons who use drugs in the United States as well as an overview of current recommendations on diagnosis and treatment for these infections.
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Naltrexone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Training for Clinicians (Part 1)
Adam Bisaga, MD | Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
The first module presents background information on the use of opioid antagonists in treatment of OUD. It describes the clinical pharmacology of naltrexone and its mechanism of therapeutic effect, the differences between agonist and antagonist based treatment, the development of various preparations of naltrexone and highlights the available evidence for its efficacy. Read more
Naltrexone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Training for Clinicians (Part 2)
Adam Bisaga, MD | Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
The second module focuses on the selection of potential candidate patients for naltrexone and procedures to initiate treatment with naltrexone. The module reviews several treatment initiation scenarios that clinicians might face. Detailed protocols to treat opioid withdrawal are offered, each matching patient’s physiological conditions, to assure that patients can be successfully and safely inducted onto naltrexone. Behavioral strategies to increase patient’s engagement in treatment during the induction process are also discussed.
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