Dr. Ryan McCormack and Dr. Kathryn Hawk

The Emergency Department (ED) is a critical venue to initiate SUD interventions. ED patients have a disproportionately high prevalence of SUD, are at an elevated risk of overdose, and many do not access healthcare elsewhere. Despite this, SUD interventions are rarely initiated in EDs. Drs. Hawk and McCormack will review common barriers to initiating treatment in the ED, including stigma, lack of resources, and perceptions of SUD as chronic, non-emergent conditions more appropriately addressed elsewhere. Drawing on recent and ongoing research, they will describe best practices for the treatment of opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder in the ED. Interventions to be discussed include ED-initiated buprenorphine, extended-release naltrexone, and naloxone distribution.

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