The opioid crisis has come sharply into public focus recently, but its roots in the United States date back to the 19th century, when opium-laced patent medicines and morphine injections for injured Civil War soldiers introduced widespread dependence. Fueled by the heroin epidemic of the 20th century and highly potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl in the 21st century, opioid use disorder (OUD) is now a complex and urgent public health emergency. Addressing a crisis of this scale demands solutions grounded in research, precision, and real-world applicability.
Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder delivers evidence-based solutions to todays clinicians. This extensively updated third edition delivers practical guidance tailored to modern clinical realities, equipping practitioners with the knowledge and confidence needed to provide effective, patient-centered care in a rapidly shifting treatment landscape.
New chapters reflect the fields most pressing priorities:
* Harm reduction strategies such as safe injection, overdose education, and preventing diversion
* Dosing of buprenorphine to optimize patient adherence and well-being
* The use of buprenorphine in emergency department and hospital settings
* The impact of stigma on prevention and treatment for people with OUD
The guide further provides in-depth analysis of topics that include guidance for choosing buprenorphine versus methadone or naltrexone, how to manage co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders, OUD among adolescents, and considerations when dispensing buprenorphine in an office setting. Throughout, readers benefit from practical tools-case studies, key points, and curated online resources-that support both clinical decision-making and ongoing education.
Accessible, informative, and action-oriented, this guide is an indispensable resource for clinicians committed to improving outcomes in the current opioid crisis.
