Adolescent Substance Use, Addiction, and Treatment: Full Video

Summary

This video script focuses on treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in adolescents and young adults, emphasizing the importance of early medication intervention, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. It highlights the multidisciplinary approach of the CATALYST program at Boston Medical Center, which integrates medical care, social support, and recovery coaching. The script addresses key challenges such as patient ambivalence, stigma, and social determinants of health, while stressing the importance of building trust with patients. It also emphasizes the critical role of family involvement and the need for comprehensive care in overcoming substance use disorders.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are essential in treating opioid use disorder in adolescents and young adults, helping manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• 😀 Methadone and buprenorphine help control cravings and prevent opioids from causing a high by binding tightly to opioid receptors.
• 😀 Naltrexone blocks opioids from causing a high and can reduce cravings for some patients.
• 😀 Naloxone (Narcan) is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and it is distributed to people at risk and their families.
• 😀 Addressing social barriers like homelessness, food insecurity, and transportation is crucial for supporting recovery and ensuring successful treatment.
• 😀 The CATALYST program at Boston Medical Center provides multidisciplinary care, including physicians, social workers, recovery coaches, and others to support adolescents and young adults.
• 😀 Engaging patients in treatment can be challenging due to ambivalence, stigma, and social issues, but a supportive team approach can overcome these obstacles.
• 😀 Family involvement is key to treatment success, with support groups and educational sessions helping families cope with a loved one's addiction.
• 😀 Building trust with teens and young adults is critical, as they may have past experiences of broken trust or communication issues.
• 😀 The program emphasizes providing consistent care, ensuring patients know they are supported no matter what, which encourages return visits even after a lapse in treatment.
• 😀 The CATALYST program tracks outcomes and aims to improve and share its model to help other programs addressing youth substance use disorder.

Q & A

Why is medication for opioid use disorder important, especially for adolescents and young adults?

Medication should be offered as soon as a diagnosis of opioid use disorder is made for adolescents and young adults. Waiting until a person reaches rock bottom is not ideal, as opioid use disorder is a chronic illness, similar to other conditions like asthma or diabetes, which are treated promptly.

What are the three medications used to treat opioid use disorder in adolescents and young adults?

The three medications are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone and buprenorphine help manage withdrawal symptoms and control cravings by interacting with the opioid receptor, while naltrexone blocks the opioid receptor to prevent a high from opioids.

How do methadone and buprenorphine help individuals with opioid use disorder?

Methadone and buprenorphine help control withdrawal symptoms and cravings. They bind to the opioid receptors, making it harder for opioids like heroin to cause a high if someone tries to use them.

How does naltrexone differ from methadone and buprenorphine in its function?

Naltrexone works by blocking the opioid receptor to prevent opioids from causing a high. However, it doesn't help with cravings in all patients, unlike methadone and buprenorphine, which are more effective in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

What is naloxone (NARCAN) and how does it function?

Naloxone, also known as NARCAN, is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. It can be administered as a nasal spray or via injection and works by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose, potentially saving a life.

What social challenges do teens and young adults with opioid use disorder face in addition to addiction?

Teens and young adults often struggle with issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, transportation difficulties, and challenges in maintaining employment or attending school. These social factors can significantly hinder their ability to recover.

What is the CATALYST program and what makes it unique?

The CATALYST program at Boston Medical Center addresses the gap in care for adolescents and young adults with substance use disorder. It brings together a team of physicians, social workers, nurses, and a recovery coach to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

What role does a recovery coach play in the CATALYST program?

A recovery coach in the CATALYST program provides additional support for patients in their recovery journey, helping address their specific needs and offering guidance on recovery strategies in addition to addressing social determinants of health.

What is a significant challenge when treating teens and young adults for substance use disorder?

Ambivalence is a major challenge, as adolescents and young adults often struggle with decision-making and may not agree that they need treatment. Overcoming this ambivalence is crucial for engagement in care.

How does the CATALYST program address the issue of stigma in treating addiction?

The program works to reduce stigma by emphasizing the importance of family involvement, providing education, and offering support groups for both patients and their families. This helps create an environment where individuals feel comfortable accepting treatment.