Commentary and Observations from
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Screening for Unhealthy Drug Use
Posted By: 
Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 18, 2020
Despite all the knowledge and technology that we have these days, we still see a vast amount of patients who engage in unhealthy substance use (eg, alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco) and think that there will be no health consequences. Even if the patient frequently presents to primary care, unhealthy alcohol and other drug use often goes unrecognized. Approaches to alleviate substance use problems include screening, brief interventions, and when appropriate, referral to an addiction treatment... Continue Reading
Filed under: Public Health, Substance Abuse
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
September 15, 2020
I had a patient the other day who came in intoxicated and tried to "school" me on the benefits of alcohol. Yes, there are some potential heart-healthy benefi... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Substance Abuse
Hyponatremia and Alcoholism
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
June 12, 2020
"Beer potomania" is a syndrome used to describe patients who present with hyponatremia along with a history of excessive beer drink... Continue Reading
Filed under: Neurology, Substance Abuse
Quitting Smoking When You Already Have Lung Cancer: Does It Matter?
Posted By: 
Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP
January 21, 2020
Many patients feel that once they develop lung cancer, it is pointless to quit smoking. Smoking is one of the toughest addictions to break, and with the adde... Continue Reading
Filed under: Oncology/Hematology, Pulmonary Medicine, Substance Abuse
Prescription Drug Misuse in the United States
Posted By: Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA
November 08, 2019
Narcotic prescription medications have important medical uses, but they also stimulate the reward center of the brain. In susceptible individuals, this can l... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Substance Abuse
The Real Risks of Vaping: All Clinicians Must Ask the Right Questions and Warn Patients
Posted By: 
Daniel Thibodeau, MHP, PA-C
October 04, 2019
Most of us have seen the recent news regarding the alarming rise of respiratory-related illnesses and deaths due to e-cigarettes, or vaping. For those not aw... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Substance Abuse
Update: State Regulatory Environment for Opioid Prescribing
Posted By: 
Susanne J. Phillips, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
September 20, 2019
As prescribers for patients with acute and chronic pain in primary care, NPs and PAs are very much aware of the national opioid epidemic, including ways in w... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, NPs & PAs, Substance Abuse
The Dilemma of the Opioid Crisis and Cancer Pain
Posted By: Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP
August 30, 2019
The misuse of opioids and inappropriate prescribing patterns have led to addiction and overdose deaths in the United States that have risen sharply in the pa... Continue Reading
Filed under: Oncology/Hematology, Substance Abuse
Vaping: What Parents Need to Know
Posted By: 
Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN
March 01, 2019
So what is vaping? Vaping is the inhaling and exhaling of an aerosol produced by using a vaping device. Vaping is illegal for anyone under the age of 18, and... Continue Reading
Filed under: Public Health, Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorders in Youth
Posted By: Debra A. Danforth, DNP, APRN
February 26, 2019
In the United States, about 5% of youth aged 12 to 17 will develop a substance use disorder (SUD) each year, but fewer than 10% of the 1.3 million youth who... Continue Reading
Filed under: Public Health, Substance Abuse