You searched for Substance Use - CLOSLER

May 17, 2022 | 1 min read

Word Choice Related to Substance Use Disorders

By Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Words matter; calling patients with a substance use disorder an “addict” defines them by their addiction. We need to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and supported so that they will engage in treatment.

February 12, 2024 | 2 min read

Recognizing and treating substance use disorders in healthcare professionals

By Gregory Hobelmann, MD, MPH, President of Ashley Addiction Treatment

Healthcare professionals are at least just as vulnerable to substance use disorders as the general public. It never occurred to me that I may be among those numbers, but I am.

February 21, 2019 | 1 min read

Substance Use Disorders in Later Life

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Substance use disorders in older adults often go undiagnosed because screening is frequently overlooked. Key to supporting patients to make a change is developing rapport and trust.

August 31, 2022 | 2 min read

Reducing overdose risk for minority patients

By Brendan Saloner, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Omeid Heidari, PhD, NP, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients with opioid and other substance use disorders, focus on using tools such as evidence-based medications, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips.

August 26, 2021 | 1 min read

Destigmatizing Addiction: The Power of Words

By Namrata Walia, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Please use the term 'person with substance use disorder’ instead of ‘addict’!

March 2, 2025 | 1 min read

Art for hope

By William Stoehr, artist, Boulder, Colorado

My artwork portrays the pain and loss experienced by those affected by substance use disorders. I hope it helps clinicians gain a deeper understanding of the human cost of stigma, prompting more empathetic and nonjudgmental patient interactions.

April 14, 2022 | 3 min read

Afraid to Tell The Truth

By Kirsten Elin Smith, PhD, National Institute on Drug Abuse

When I shared with my clinician that I had previously been a heroin user, she made me feel ashamed. This taught me the importance of listening to patients with nonjudgmental curiosity.

September 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Healthcare Professionals And Fatal Overdose

By Hannah Fetting, MSN, CRNP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Colleagues with a substance use disorder deserve the utmost compassion. We can offer nonjudgmental support, just like we do for all other conditions.

September 26, 2023 | 2 min read

Talk Less, Listen More

By Aurora Grutman, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A conversation with a fentanyl overdose survivor taught me to listen with humble curiosity, and talk to patients thoughtfully with respect and sensitivity.

December 11, 2019 | <1 min read

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Building a therapeutic relationship with people with substance use disorders is critical when supporting them on their journey to health.

October 10, 2024 | 1 min read

Trust and truth

Nonjudgmental communication can help us understand the true nature of a patient’s condition and motivations. Connecting more deeply with a patient over time allowed us to learn more of the story.

May 16, 2024 | 2 min read

Two coats in one small room: caring for another clinician

Caring for another clinician is complicated and requires special thoughtfulness; false assumptions about what the “clinician-patient” understands may result in suboptimal care.

May 7, 2024 | 1 min read

Shifting careers

By Zeina Moukarzel, MD, MPH, Beirut, Lebanon

As healthcare professionals, there are multiple ways to have a positive impact on the world. If and when you step away from patient care, thoughtfully consider what will bring fulfillment and purpose.

March 18, 2025 | 1 min read

“I wish for you”

By Kathleen Wenaden, MBBS, London, England

Witnessing suffering requires clinicians to intentionally practice self-care. One idea is to process challenging emotions by writing poetry.

March 27, 2025 | 1 min read

“Breaking bad news”: a poem

By Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

I wrote this poem to explore sharing and receiving challenging news from the perspective of both clinician and patient. Reflecting on situations from multiple points of view enhances my ability to empathize.

September 9, 2020 | 1 min read

We’re All in This Together

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

With the added stress caused by the pandemic, make an extra effort to screen your patients for anxiety and depression. Empathizing about shared concerns may facilitate patient expression.

December 8, 2023 | 1 min read

Supporting those with AUD through the holidays

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Find a way to celebrate this holiday season that includes and validates those who may be in recovery.

April 17, 2024 | 2 min read

Kratom—the opioid-like herbal drug your patients may be using

By Megan Buresh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Kratom use is on the rise. It is important to ask patients about use in a nonjudgmental manner.

Employers must cultivate a nurturing culture that supports the emotional and physical needs of their employees.

February 9, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Patients With Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder

By Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, Central Michigan University

All patients must be treated with empathy. Those suffering with chronic pain and addiction may be especially deserving of compassion.

January 29, 2025 | 2 min read

Addiction in older adults

By Bethea (Annie) Kleykamp, PhD, MA, University of Maryland

Deaths in the U.S. due to tobacco and opioid-related overdose are more common among older adults from historically marginalized groups. Treatments tailored to their unique needs can help reverse this trend.

"Laine," by William Stoehr.

April 17, 2025 | 1 min read

HOPE

Art can foster hope for healing for those living with substance use disorders.

September 28, 2021 | 1 min read

Considerations When Talking With Patients About Cannabis

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The medical literature on cannabis use is not clear, making it difficult to know what to tell patients. Share both positives and negatives about using marijuana, and help your patient make the best care plan for them.

July 18, 2022 | 2 min read

How to have effective discussions about alcohol

By Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Talking with patients about the risks of heavy alcohol consumption and the benefits of change can have a positive impact on their health.

November 14, 2022 | 2 min read

The Benefits of Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs)

By Bennett Allen, PhD, New York University, Noa Krawczyk, PhD, New York University

Supervised injection facilities prevent death and do not encourage drug use. Sharing this information can keep our patients safer.

"Facilitate finding new ways of having fun and staying busy. Recovery is not punishment."

April 3, 2018 | 1 min read

10 tips to support patients with a substance use disorder

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I’ve devoted my entire career to supporting patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Here are the top 10 tips that I’ve learned over the past few decades.

October 13, 2021 | 2 min read

Social Media During The Pandemic

By Carol Vidal, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While social media is contributing to increased rates of depression during the pandemic, it also keeps us socially connected during challenging times.

Art For Hope

By William Stoehr – Artist – Boulder, Colorado My art focuses on eliminating the stigma of substance use disorder and its related mental health issues. My sister died of an opioid overdose. She might still be alive if it were not for prescription opioids and the stigma which suffocates discussion, blocks action and causes pain. The first…

September 27, 2023 | 1 min read

Guardrails And Ambulances

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Over 100,000 Americans die every year from overdoses, and most are preventable. Discuss with patients and loved ones the dangers of having old prescription or counterfeit pills, as well as the importance of keeping naloxone on hand.

August 21, 2018 | 1 min read

Talking With Young Adult Patients About Alcohol

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians need to be vigilant to discuss alcohol use with patients and remember that the legal drug, alcohol, causes more morbidity and mortality than opioids.

June 16, 2021 | 1 min read

Why we Must Talk About E-cigarettes with Teen Patients

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Proactively counseling adolescents about the risks of e-cigarette use is essential. The message should acknowledge both the health implications and the pressures that they may feel from their peers.

The koru is a spiral shape based on the appearance of a new unfurling silver fern frond. It's an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattooing, where it symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. Photo by David Kopacz.

October 18, 2022 | 7 min read

A New Paradigm For Growth

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington, Lucinda Houghton, PhD

As with other traumas, burnout, viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional development, offers a way to expand ourselves as wholehearted healers.

September 13, 2022 | 2 min read

Psychedelics and Health

By Mary Yaden, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Psychedelic therapies have long been feared and avoided. We must acknowledge that there are clinical indications where these treatments are profoundly beneficial.

December 10, 2024 | 1 min read

A breath of fresh air

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals can prioritize ongoing conversations about the risks of smoking and vaping with young patients, tailoring their approach to address specific concerns and misconceptions.

July 23, 2020 | 3 min read

Stepping Back Before Moving Forward

By Moises Auron, MD, Cleveland Clinic

Considering multiple diagnostic possibilities and not anchoring on the incoming diagnosis may increase the chance of getting it right.

February 16, 2024 | 1 min read

Patients and politics

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patient-initiated political statements may make healthcare professionals feel uncomfortable. Thoughtful strategies, like redirection, can keep the focus on patient care.

January 9, 2023 | 2 min read

Questions Raised by “There, There”

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting on our own “there” (the place where we grew up) can trigger conversation that helps us to understand our patients’ “there.” This can strengthen the patient-clinician relationship.

April 6, 2020 | 1 min read

Addiction Recovery During the Pandemic

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We are all stressed by the great uncertainty related to COVID-19, but for our patients with addiction, it is much greater. Check in with your patients and support them in finding healthy ways to cope.

Plato, Greek philosopher. A disciple of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, he founded the Academy in Athens. This is his statue, located before the Academy of Athens, Greece.

June 29, 2022 | 3 min read

Being PerfecT in Healthcare

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Moral questions often arise in healthcare. Contemplating how our efforts might translate into the most good deserves our thoughtful consideration.

February 22, 2018 | 3 min read

Family History and Addiction Risk

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For some patients the risk of becoming addicted to prescription opioids is extraordinarily high and may outweigh any pain control benefit.

May 29, 2018 | 2 min read

Love At First Sight

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A clinically excellent physician always takes the time to ask his/her patient about the history of substance use in their parents and siblings, as well as aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins; and always asks about adoption.

October 26, 2021 | 3 min read

What is The Scope of a Clinician’s Work?

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must help our patients achieve a state where body, mind, and spirit are working as a whole. We can help them do more than survive. Let’s help them thrive!

April 13, 2023 | 5 min read

Navigating Conversations About Psychedelics With Patients

By Natalie Gukasyan, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

There’s been growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. This requires that healthcare professionals be well informed and prepared to discuss this experimental therapy.

January 27, 2025 | 2 min read

The green hospital

By Nick Dalesio, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recognize the significant environmental impact of your healthcare practices. Advocate for and implement sustainable solutions, such as optimizing workflow to reduce waste and improve resource utilization.

December 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Coping with grief during the holidays

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Having experienced my cousin’s death before Christmas reminds me that December isn’t a joyous time for everyone. I encourage those struggling to connect with loved ones and limit substance use.

United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Public domain.

March 2, 2020 | 3 min read

Universal trauma-informed care

By Sadie Elisseou, MD, Boston VA Health Care System

Understanding perpetrators of violence as potential trauma survivors can inspire empathy in clinicians and contribute to a universal, trauma-informed approach to patient care.

January 30, 2025 | 3 min read

If bias is unconscious, what can I do about it?

By Som Saha, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We all have biases that are mostly unresectable. By practicing mindfulness, being self-aware, and building connections with patients, we can reduce the harm they might otherwise cause.

July 2, 2024 | 4 min read

Seeing

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When patients present frequently to the ED, clinicians must make an effort to validate them as individuals. It's also important to be aware of and work to change the underlying social determinants that may drive their visits.

March 28, 2019 | 6 min read

Integrating Psychology and Primary Care

By Benjamin Bensadon, PhD, University of Florida College of Medicine

Person-centeredness holds great potential to maximize healing in the way Osler envisioned more than a century ago. But to translate this concept clinically, psychology and medicine must come closer together. The closer we can come together, the closer we can come to Osler.

Dr. Barry Solomon and his team work to create a safe space for teens at their practice.

April 12, 2018 | 3 min read

Creating a Safe Space For Teen Well Visits

By Barry Solomon, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Providing excellent care for adolescents includes creating a safe space for confidential discussions. The clinically excellent pediatrician is able to help support the teen to share sensitive concerns with parents and caregivers.

September 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Book Review of “In Pain”

By Traci Speed, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Clinicians need to understand that patients' pain is real to build rapport and reassurance, which will help patients be open to the full range of treatment options.