Treating Opioid Use Disorder in General Medical Settings

This book is an invaluable reference for medical practitioners seeking to integrate opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment into general medical settings, including primary care, the inpatient hospital, and the emergency department. It recognizes opioid-related deaths in the United States as a significant public health crisis and fills the gap in drug use and addiction treatment knowledge for care providers. Timely and concise, opening chapters examine the history of OUD pharmacology and treatment, as well as the principles of care and treatment. Subsequent chapters analyze the shortcomings of current approaches to opioid addiction, including the high cost and low value of acute care delivered by minimally trained providers and the fixation on short-term detoxification and rehab. The book offers specific guidance for practical integration of effective opioid use disorder treatment into a range of healthcare settings. Chapters also discuss the unique complexities of caring for special populations with OUD, such as pregnant people and those involved in the criminal legal system. The book concludes with personal experience from individuals with a history of OUD. Socially conscious and practical, Treating Opioid Use Disorder in General Medical Settings serves as a crucial evidence-based resource for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.