AMERSA, Author at AMERSA

The Authors’ Own Words: The association between benzodiazepine prescription and aberrant drug-related behaviors in primary care patients receiving opioids for chronic pain

Mar 27, 2020 by AMERSA

The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

The association between benzodiazepine prescription and aberrant drug-related behaviors in primary care patients receiving opioids for chronic pain

Tae Woo Park, MD, MS; Richard Saitz, MD, MPH; Kerrie P. Nelson, PhD; Ziming Xuan, ScD, SM, MA; Jane M. Liebschutz, MD, MPH; & Karen E. Lasser, MD, MPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 4, 2016

“We found that benzodiazepine prescription was associated with early opioid refills in patients prescribed opioids for pain. An important part of a clinician’s role is to weigh the risks and benefits of a treatment. We feel that this study can help clinicians who treat chronic pain patients with opioids in making that risk-benefit calculation before prescribing a benzodiazepine by providing more information about the potential risks of benzodiazepine use in this population.”

The Authors’ Own Words: Racial Differences and the Role of Neighborhood in the Sequencing of Marijuana and Tobacco Initiation Among Urban Youth

Mar 27, 2020 by AMERSA

Racial Differences and the Role of Neighborhood in the Sequencing of Marijuana and Tobacco Initiation Among Urban Youth

Kerry M. Green, PhD; Renee M. Johnson, PhD; Adam J. Milam, PhD; Debra Furr-Holden, PhD; Nicholas S. Ialongo, PhD; & Beth A. Reboussin, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 4, 2016

“This study highlights an important potential pathway to tobacco use among urban youth, which begins with marijuana use. Among this urban sample, Black youth and youth with greater exposure to violent victimization were at increased risk of initiating marijuana use before initiating tobacco use. Prevention and intervention work should recognize the risk of transitioning to tobacco use among marijuana users with particular risk profiles.”

The Authors’ Own Words: Monitoring Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in buprenorphine-exposed IVF twins: a case study

Mar 26, 2020 by AMERSA

Monitoring Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in buprenorphine-exposed IVF twins: a case study

Laura Brandt, PhD; Patrick Swoboda, MD; Gabriele Fischer, MD; & Annemarie Unger, MD

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 4, 2016

“This is the first case report on neonatal outcomes of IVF-conceived twins exposed to buprenorphine in utero including NAS course and treatment. In the present case (where no concomitant substance use occurred over month prior to delivery), the NAS treatment duration exceeds that reported for buprenorphine-exposed neonates in previous studies. Of note, the total neonatal morphine dose for both twins far exceeds the average reported by other publications. Considering that the staff in the present case was not blinded with regard to maternal medication and dose or the IVF-status, this may have led to concerns for using a more rapid tapering process. In light of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, a discussion of the presented case, and especially the treatment course in the neonates, with researchers and practitioners in the field but also with patient ombudsmen might have the potential to improve the human rights situation for such patients.”

Substance Abuse journal Volume 38 | Issue 4

Mar 23, 2020 by AMERSA

This issue had a lot of authors giving their insight of their work. We always appreciate and look forward to authors that give blurbs to share!

This issue had a lot of interesting reads – including manuscripts focused on gender differences, social media, and more! Read this issue now and then head back over here to see what some of the authors had to say about their work!

The most viewed manuscript in this issue was:

Development and implementation of an alcohol withdrawal protocol using a 5-item scale, the Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS)

Darius A. Rastegar, MD; Dinah Applewhite, MD; Anika A. H. Alvanzo, MD, MS; Christopher Welsh, MD; Timothy Niessen, MD, MPH; & Edward S. Chen, MD

With 1,733 views…and counting!

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The Authors’ Own Words: Age of Initiation, Psychopathology and Other Substance Use Are Associated with Time to Use Disorder Diagnosis in Persons using Opioids Nonmedically

Mar 22, 2020 by AMERSA

Age of Initiation, Psychopathology and Other Substance Use Are Associated with Time to Use Disorder Diagnosis in Persons using Opioids Nonmedically

Ty S. Schepis, PhD & Jahn K. Hakes, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 4, 2017

“This study was the among first to look at factors associated with the time involved in the transition from initial opioid use to opioid use disorder in adults engaged in nonmedical opioid use. We found that age of nonmedical opioid use initiation was a key factor in both the development of dependence, with younger initiation raising odds of developing a use disorder, and in the time to develop dependence. In contrast to development of dependence, time to dependence was longer in individuals who initiated nonmedical opioid use at younger ages. Presence of an alcohol use disorder diagnosis was associated with more rapid development of opioid use disorder, while a depressive disorder diagnosis was associated with slower development of opioid use disorder. These results highlight the need to prevention efforts and screening of younger individuals in school and medical settings for initiation of nonmedical opioid use, as such early initiation is associated with greater odds of later opioid use disorder; in contrast, screening in university or vocational settings should aim to identify those initiating opioid nonmedical use at a later age and prevent acceleration of such use, as those initiating at older ages are at risk for more rapid development of an opioid use disorder.”