Now that we can identify common intoxication/withdrawal syndromes, we will shift our focus to substance use treatment in the second part of our two-part series on substance use. While therapies are a huge part of substance use treatment, we will primarily discuss medication management of withdrawal and relapse prevention. By the end of this episode, you will have a better sense of how to manage withdrawal and prevent relapse for patients with alcohol, benzodiazepine, nicotine, stimulant, opioid, cannabis, and hallucinogen use disorders. We’ll also highlight key medications that have been used to fight the opioid epidemic including suboxone, methadone, naltrexone, and naloxone.

Photo Credit: Curtis Simmons, “the monaco-sails-into sandstorm-burning-man-2014,” Flickr
Episode Music Credits: Javier Suárez, Tumbling Dishes, Better With Music