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.

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.

February 27, 2025 | 2 min read

Behind the mirror: teen eating disorders 

By Jasmine Reese, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

You don't have to be an eating disorder specialist to make a difference; every healthcare professional can play a vital role in early intervention. Knowing local resources and showing compassion can guide patients toward recovery. 

March 10, 2026 | 2 min read

Our doors are always open 

Treat substance use disorders with trauma‑informed, nonjudgmental care, and a multidisciplinary approach. Also, ensure treatment is accessible after discharge.

July 30, 2025 | 2 min read

Addiction’s wide net 

A family member’s substance use can impact a patient’s health and ability to engage in their own care. Healthcare professionals can offer support by listening, validating, and sharing resources. 

December 2, 2024 | 4 min read

An intriguing paradox 

By Ghida Kassir, MD, University of Toronto, Canada

Because anorexia is not uncommon, it is likely that we will all encounter a patient who is suffering from this life-threatening condition. Although it may be difficult to understand self-starvation, empathy and compassion must be prioritized to establish a trusting patient-clinician relationship. 

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.  

March 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Balanced conversations about weight

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can treat weight as simply one more piece of health information that they incorporate into a holistic care plans. This can mitigate stigma and foster empathy. 

November 22, 2024 | 2 min read

The challenges of alcohol use disorder during 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.

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. 

August 9, 2021 | 4 min read

Hiding in Plain Sight: Just Ask, or You’ll Miss Most Eating Disorders

By Angela Guarda, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Although five percent of the population has a clinically significant eating disorder, most aren't detected because clinicians don’t ask. Simply asking,“What is the MOST you would be comfortable weighing?” can help identify a restrictive eating disorder.

March 6, 2026 | 4 min read

When GLP-1s meet eating disorders 

Use caution when prescribing GLP-1s to patients with eating disorders, or factors like rapid weight loss or restrictive eating. Screen for disordered eating and involve eating‑disorder specialists if risk is present. 

February 24, 2026 | 2 min read

When healers hurt: SUD in healthcare professionals 

If you’re concerned about a colleague’s substance use affecting their work, reach out to departmental leaders rather than confronting them yourself. Early, nonjudgmental action can save lives and careers. 

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.

November 29, 2022 | 2 min read

A Weighty Matter

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Weight bias is common, harms patients, and may contribute to poor health outcomes.  

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. 

June 18, 2018 | 2 min read

How To Help Your Patients Get Better Sleep, Part I

A sleep specialist reminds us of the importance of asking patients about their sleep.

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’!

June 12, 2025 | 2 min read

The strengths of neurodiverse healthcare professionals 

Neurodivergent healthcare professionals bring unique attributes to a medical team that can enhance patient care. We can foster inclusive environments that actively support these diverse ways of thinking and working.

September 4, 2024 | 1 min read

Validating a patient’s experience of pain

To effectively treat opioid use disorder, clinicians must consider a patient's both physical and psychological experiences.  

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.

September 2, 2025 | 3 min read

Gambling with health 

Gambling disorder frequently goes unrecognized in clinical settings despite its significant impact on mental and physical health. Clinicians can routinely screen for it using validated tools and refer at-risk patients to resources. 

June 7, 2021 | 2 min read

It’s Not About Weight

By Nicole Cifra, MD, MPH, University of Rochester

Approaches employed by eating disorder specialists can be applied to support all patients. This includes emphasizing healthy behaviors and acknowledging your own assumptions about weight.

December 2, 2021 | 3 min read

TikTok: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For patients who are on social media, encourage them to engage with pro-mental health content on TikTok by watching, liking, and sharing.

October 2, 2025 | 2 min read

Don’t sleep on it  

Insomnia is a common condition that increases the risk of physical and mental health problems. Screening for it is an important part of patient care, and it can be quick and easy. 

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. 

April 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Book Review of “Dopesick”

By Suchita Sata, MD, Duke University

Treatment for opioid use disorder is often inaccessible and unaffordable. Nevertheless, clinicians must connect patients to available services while advocating for improved systems of care.

January 28, 2020 | 3 min read

Racism From Patients—an Ethical Dilemma

By Sonal Gandhi, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A cornerstone of clinical excellence is treating all patients with respect and dignity. This is true even when treating those patients who are not respectful to you.

June 8, 2026 | 3 min read

Takeaways from the book “Addiction, Inc.” 

Many opioid overdose deaths are preventable with medications like buprenorphine and methadone; unfortunately, commercial interests have interfered with access to treatment. Knowing how to start or link patients to treatment—regardless of your specialty—can save lives. 

May 25, 2023 | 2 min read

Fighting The Feed

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Limiting social media use and being selective about what you view can help cultivate a positive body image. 

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 6, 2024 | 2 min read

A lesson in humility

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

All patients deserve to be treated with respect, listened to attentively, and seen as individuals.

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. 

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. 

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.

April 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Opioid Monitoring in Primary Care

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Discussions about opioid use with patients must be approached with curiosity and concern, rather than suspicion. Implemented with sensitivity, opioid monitoring programs can strengthen the clinician-patient relationship.

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.