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The Authors’ Own Words: Medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence in Twelve Step–oriented residential rehabilitation settings

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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.

Medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence in Twelve Step–oriented residential rehabilitation settings
Marc Galanter, Marvin Seppala, and Audrey Klein
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

There are 3,450 residential programs in the USA that are colloquially referred to as “rehabs.” They treat a large portion of people with severe substance use disorders, often with little input regarding contemporary therapeutic techniques developed within the biomedical community. It is important for expert clinicians to be aware of this potential deficit, both in choice of facility, to which they may refer patients, and to the clinical issues they may confront when asked to follow up when a patient is discharged from residential treatment.

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Our newly released issue is now online —> July-September 2016.
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The Authors’ Own Words: Characteristics of methadone maintenance treatment patients prescribed opioid analgesics

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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.

Characteristics of methadone maintenance treatment patients prescribed opioid analgesics
Matthew C. Glenn, Nancy L. Sohler, Joanna L. Starrels, Jeronimo Maradiaga, John J. Jost, Julia H. Arnsten, and Chinazo O. Cunningham
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

Despite the potential iatrogenic hazards of concurrent methadone treatment and opioid analgesic prescription, the published literature has focused on illicit opioid use amongst MMT patients. Our novel findings suggest high prevalence of prescription opioid overuse amongst opioid analgesic-prescribed MMT patients, higher prevalence of HIV infection and chronic pain when compared to MMT patients not prescribed opioid analgesics, and similarly high rates of illicit substance use across all MMT patients, regardless of opioid analgesic prescription. Thus, the opioid analgesic-prescribed MMT population represents a very high risk group due to the potential for overdose. These findings highlight the complex challenges facing physicians treating patients with comorbid chronic pain and opioid dependence and adds to the body of literature calling for coordinated and integrated strategies to treating these patients.

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Our newly released issue is now online —> July-September 2016.
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CARA Bill Expands Buprenorphine Prescribing to Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

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By Associate Editor Deborah Finnell:

Word traveled fast through the nursing community about the Senate’s final approval (07/13/2016) of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). This historic moment was especially sweet for those of us who have been long-time advocates of expanded access for persons needing treatment for opioid dependence. Furthermore, thanks to the ongoing support from and persistence of Senators Markey and Paul, this legislation will allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants prescribe buprenorphine. Currently, only physicians were able to prescribe this treatment.

In 2015, my colleagues and I published an editorial for the Substance Abuse journal with an appeal for “all advanced practice nurses … to be allowed to join physicians in prescribing buprenorphine” (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08897077.2015.1101733). We were discouraged in knowing that there seemed to be limited interest in opening the 15-year old Drug Addiction Treatment Act that restricted buprenorphine prescribing to physicians. Yet, we hoped that our voices would be heard.

Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), chief author of CARA said, “This is also the first time that we’ve treated addiction like the disease that it is, which will help put an end to the stigma that has surrounded addiction for too long.” Like other health disorders, opioid and other substance use disorders can be effectively treated and recovery is possible. I urge lay persons and health care providers alike, to become educated about these brain-based substance use disorders. Further, my colleagues and I urge you to read our publication in Substance Abuse and “carefully and intentionally consider the language used to describe alcohol and other drug use and disorders, the individuals affected by these conditions, and their related behaviors, comorbidities, treatment, and recovery” (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08897077.2014.930372).

2015 Thomson Reuters Impact Factor!

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Today our publisher informed us that Substance Abuse’s 2015 Impact Factor has increased to 2.576!

The Journal is now ranked 8/18 in the Substance Abuse (Science) category, and 11/34 in the Substance Abuse (Social Science) category. This is an impressive accomplishment that points to the work of the authors, reviewers, Associate Editors, Managing Editors, and Editor-in-Chief. We’d also like to thank our publisher, Taylor & Francis, and of course, the Executive Board and committees of AMERSA. Here’s to continuing to improve the literature in addiction medicine so that treatment, science, and discussion will also be effective!

We will likely have more information to share as we receive more of it, but for the moment, we wanted to get this wonderful news out to the world.

impact factor