Background: Hospitalizations related to opioid use disorder (OUD) are rising, creating opportunities to initiate medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connect patients with outpatient resources.1,2 Despite evidence that MOUD reduces morbidity and mortality, most patients fail to receive evidence-based treatment during hospitalization.3-6 Addiction consultation services are becoming the standard of care to address this [...]

Background: Despite evidence that the use of medications for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) leads to reduced mortality and improved engagement in outpatient addiction treatment, these life-saving medications are underutilized in the hospital setting. This study reports the outcomes of a hospitalist-led interprofessional and multidisciplinary inpatient program, known as the B-Team (buprenorphine team), to [...]

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder, but most patients with AUD do not receive evidence-based medications for AUD (MAUD), including naltrexone or acamprosate. Inpatient addiction consult services (ACS) may offer an opportunity to start medical treatment for hospitalized patients with AUD, but it is unknown if ACS are associated [...]

Background: Unlike other chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease, substance use disorder (SUD) has only recently been recognized by the medical community recently as a medical condition, and stigmatizing beliefs have lingered. Formal teaching about SUD has been shown to foster a more positive attitude towards these patients among medical trainees. Attitudes [...]

Background: Hospitalizations for opioid overdose and complications of opioid use disorder (OUD) have risen dramatically over the last two decades. Hospitalizations represent opportunities to initiate lifesaving medications for OUD (MOUD), but rates of hospital MOUD initiation are low. Addiction consult services (ACS) can help facilitate hospital MOUD initiation and promote linkage to post-discharge MOUD, but [...]

Background: The US faces a worsening epidemic of substance use-associated morbidity and mortality. In 2021, over 46 million people had a substance use disorder (SUD) and over 109,000 overdose deaths occurred. Furthermore, an estimated 1 in 7 hospital admissions are for patients with SUDs. Stigma is pervasive among these patients’ hospital providers, and SUD management [...]

Background: In the US, Marijuana is the most used substance, with 18% of the population having tried it at least once. Its use is steadily increasing and stands at a staggering 43% amongst college-aged adults. Marijuana has been known as a self-coping means for anxiety. The recent increase in marijuana use and its effect on [...]

Background: Persons with opioid use disorders (OUD) represent a disproportionately high percentage of hospitalized patients, have greater lengths of stay and readmissions, can incur higher costs, and are at greater risk of drug-related death immediately post-discharge. Further, despite the availability of effective medications for OUD, patients often are not offered treatment during the inpatient encounter. [...]

Background: As of 2020, a reported 2.7 million people in the United States have opioid use disorder (OUD). Hospitalizations related to opioid use have risen dramatically over the last two decades. Inpatients with substance use disorders are at increased risk of leaving the hospital prior to treatment completion which can further lead to poor health [...]

Background: Over the last few years, the USA has seen a sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) and related acute illnesses. The clinical course of many hospitalized patients is impacted by their diagnosis of SUD. At our institution, we put in place an inpatient addiction service where a physician [...]