Drs. Bell and DeVine are again joined by their Augsburg University Physician Assistant student, Mika. This discussion will dive into the concept of ‘compassion fatigue’. Is it truly a ‘thing?’ Who is at highest risk of developing compassion fatigue and what does the data say? To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine are joined by their Augsburg University Physician Assistant student, Mika, to start the discussion on substance use disorders in transgender and gender non-conforming populations. This segment, the first of two, will give background information and lay out the basics to better help listeners understand this patient population. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine, thank you to Ruth Merick from the American Farm Bureau Federation, will discuss the data on mental health access and opioid use in rural America. This will be followed next week by the perceptions of opioid use in rural America as well as possible solutions to the opioid epidemic in this particular niche. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine return to the topic of suicide. Previously we discussed suicide risk in relation to opioids, this episode will discuss suicide risk with individuals with nicotine, stimulant and/or cannabis use disorder. The statistics and data are quite alarming, again showing the importance of screening for and assessing for use disorders and mental health. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine follow up with even more information about the harms of Kratom outside of the substance itself. Where it is grown and how it is processed can lead to many additional health complications, some of which will surprise you. We will finish with a discussion on harm reduction as well in relation to Kratom. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine return with Kratom 2.0. With what seems like an increase in the amount of Kratom that is being seen in the clinic and healthcare setting, this will review what Kratom is as well as take a deeper dive into the effects and withdrawal states. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine came across, initially, one article alluding to an association between eye color and the risk for alcohol use disorder, interestingly finding that they both would be considered “higher risk” (listen to hear our eye color disclosure!) Upon further research, there does seem to be a genetic linkage and association between the two. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine will discuss another system in the body that is not typically thought of in relation to alcohol consumption. Interestingly enough, alcohol consumption can and does have a significant impact on the eyes, and the “optic” system, in several different ways. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ars Longa Media Productions ..read more

Drs. DeVine and Bell will discuss a theme in medical practice, shared-decision making, that continues to grow in its practice in medicine. This idea incorporates and includes the patient in their own medical decisions. This episode will explore the shared decision making concept in relation to non-cancer pain chronic opioid therapy and how health and safety outcomes are improved when it’s utilized. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or email us with questions or feedback: theaddictionconnectionpodcast@gmail.com Part of the Ar ..read more

Drs. Bell and DeVine, this week, will take a dive into prazosin, a medication FDA approved only for the treatment of hypertension, and how it may actually aid in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Although this medication is approved only for hypertension, it is often used off label for things like PTSD and Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). We will review recent studies that look at the efficacy, however, of its use for the treatment of AUD both with and without co-occurring PTSD. To learn more about the doctors as well as keep up with current happenings follow on twitter: @echocsct or e ..read more