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Drs. DeVine and Bell, with Dr. Charlie Reznikoff, address the changes that one particular methadone clinic (OTP) made during the COVID pandemic. From crowded clinics to social distancing, how was it even possible? And then in follow up, how has that changed since? Are patients being cared for in a patient centered manner or are they overly monitored for other reasons? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell, with Dr. Charlie Reznikoff, explain a methadone clinic (OTP)- what does a clinic ‘look like’, what is the work flow, and what are the logistics? We will describe one methadone clinic with the understanding they are not all required to be the same. This episode will set the stage for what resulted when the pandemic happened. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine describe how opioids have been used as weapons. It is very well known that opioids can cause significant morbidity and mortality, but how can this be preyed upon intentionally? And why? We will also tangent into describing other chemical weapons examples. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell, again joined by Dr. Reznikoff, finalize the ‘off-label’ medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD). This episode will highlight a couple anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medications, a medication typically used to treat ADHD and a final medication, one which happens to be tried as a treatment for nearly everything! This is a fantastic way to wrap up AUD [medication] treatment options! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine highlight XYLAZINE, the ‘new player on the street.’ A non-opioid, with similar pharmacology as clonidine, it is easy to purchase in bulk and is often added to opioids to extend the ‘high;’ but like most substances, it can have very dire consequences. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell now bring you a few antipsychotics that are, at times, used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Joined by THE Dr. Charles Reznikoff, we not only bring you the mechanisms of action of how and why they “work” but also give you our clinical experience and thoughts! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell review THREE current non–FDA approved medications for alcohol use disorder. All in the anticonvulsant category, we describe the mechanism of action in relation to alcohol use disorder, side effects, and why would you choose an anticonvulsant as a treatment option? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine explore the use of varenicline (Chantix) for the treatment of cocaine dependence. There are no current FDA approved medications for the treatment of cocaine dependence and several smaller studies have reviewed varenicline as a possible treatment. What does this most recent article, published April 2022, show? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell review the THREE current FDA approved medications for alcohol use disorder. They explain each one’s mechanism of action, indications [why you would consider choosing one over the other], common and rare side effects, and can they be combined for a ‘better’ response? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell highlight another group of patients that all providers need to be aware of: patients with a history of gastric bypass or weight loss surgery. Is it physiology, psychology, or something else? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine walk you through the barriers, the whys and the hows of “capturing the patients at the biggest impact” - the Emergency Room. Why is this standard of care not seen this way and not already happening? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine, on episode 100 (:-) (-:) Fill you in on the current projects and passions they are working on and in! They also discuss their “lessons learned”, why they tend towards certain use disorders to care for (trauma differences between the two), and finally, what defines “success”?! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell answer the age old question, “what is the ceiling effect?” Buprenorphine has such a high morphine equivalent, but why don’t patients overdose on it via respiratory depression? This is sometimes a difficult thing to explain to patients or healthcare professionals, but we bring you the data! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine, back in episode 34, discussed the impact of chronic opioids on testosterone. Now, they discuss how medications for opioid use disorder (Methadone, buprenorphine) impact testosterone levels. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine discuss a case study on a patient who had anaphylaxis to opioid products, including buprenorphine, who also had severe opioid use disorder. Seriously, how these allergists were able to desensitize this patient in order for her to maintain recovery is remarkable, especially since the mechanism is not what you’d think! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine dive into the literature and guidelines on what to do if a patient has adverse events or side effects with buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone). The guideline recommends transitioning to methadone, but what about transitioning to the monoproduct of buprenorphine (Subutex) instead? What’s the risk to the patient, the provider, or society? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell piggyback on last week’s discussion on benzodiazepines with buprenorphine and bring up the topic of benzodiazepines combined with prescribed full-agonist opioids. Let’s look at the data and the risk to patients, even “legacy” patients who take their medications exactly as prescribed. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell question what will really happen if a patient is co-prescribed, or also takes, a benzodiazepine while on a buprenorphine product. What is the risk? Is the chance of respiratory depression the same if on a full agonist opioid? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. Bell and DeVine veer off of true DSM diagnosis to discuss maple syrup and sugar.  How does sugar parallel use disorders, and why the heck does Kurt do maple syrup? And then check out Twitter to see a visual of the action! To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com

Drs. DeVine and Bell highlight a recent FDA warning on sublingual buprenorphine products and dental caries. Although the FDA just recently made this statement, this topic has been in case studies and reports since 2012 and caries related to methadone even earlier. Is there causation or correlation? How can this be prevented? And what’s next? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow us on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com