Aced It

In this episode, I examine how digital and telehealth tools, from smartphone apps and wearable sensors to virtual overdose-monitoring services, are being used to address opioid use disorder and overdose risk. I explore what the research says about their effectiveness, how people who use drugs perceive them, and the challenges of making these technologies accessible, trustworthy, and well-integrated into care systems.

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In this episode, I explore the growing scientific interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction. I trace the historical roots of psychedelic therapy, review emerging evidence on substances like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, psilocybin, and ibogaine, and highlight the challenges of translating promising findings into safe, regulated clinical...

In this episode, I talk about the emerging practice of safer supply and prescribed alternatives, highlighting how Canada has implemented these programs to reduce overdose deaths and support people who use drugs. I walk listeners through evidence on outcomes, participant and provider perspectives, and key lessons for U.S. states beginning to explore safer supply models. 

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This project was supported by G...

In this episode, I talk about how peer support and recovery groups contribute to treatment engagement, overdose prevention, and long-term recovery for people with opioid use disorder. I discuss studies showing that strong involvement in 12-step programs can enhance psychological well-being and that peer-led outreach is effective in connecting individuals to care. I also highlight the value of peer support in emergency departments a...

In this episode, I talk about the role of outpatient counseling and overdose response in supporting people with opioid use disorders (OUDs). I begin by discussing why outpatient services are central to recovery and how they often function as the first and most common point of care. I review research showing that many outpatient programs still lack access to medications for OUD and often are not fully prepared to respond to overdose...

In this episode, I explore the purpose, structure, and effectiveness of residential and inpatient rehabilitation for opioid use disorder. I discuss why these programs are needed, what treatments they provide, and how individuals experience them. I review research showing that inpatient care can support early withdrawal but does not always lead to stronger long-term outcomes, and I highlight barriers such as limited referrals and lo...

In this episode, I explore the behavioral therapies used to support recovery from opioid use disorder. I walk through the evidence behind the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and contingency management. I review evidence on how these therapies work, what research shows about their effectiveness, and where their limitations appear. I also discuss newer integrative approaches, including mindfulness-base...

In this episode, I introduce Season 13 of the ACED IT podcast and set the stage for our focus on how prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies are adapting to the ongoing crisis. I dive into medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), explaining what these treatments are, how they work, and why they matter. I walk through the evidence behind the use of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, highlight common myths and miscon...

In the final episode this season, I talk about harm reduction and social service workers’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. I talk about the emotional toll of this work, some of the challenges social service workers face, strategies they use, and how their work is evolving in response to overdoses in the community.

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This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded ...

In this episode, I talk about witnesses’ and bystanders’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. I discuss how witnesses and bystanders address or perceive overdoses in the community, and the steps they take to save the life of someone who is overdosing. I talk about the hesitation witnesses experience around getting involved, and why education and access to resources are so important. 

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Th...

In this episode, I talk about schools’ and colleges’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. I describe how school nurses are positioned to notice red flags and intervene early, the implementation and use of naloxone in educational settings, how colleges are training staff to respond to overdoses, and how schools are preparing themselves – and their young learners – to tackle the overdose crisis. 

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In this episode, I talk about community supervision staffs’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. Community supervision staff include probation and parole officers. I cover what CS staff think about naloxone, the training they receive, how community supervision is viewed as a “touchpoint” for getting people treatment, and some of the policy recommendations surrounding implementing naloxone in community supervision. 

D...

In this episode, I talk about prison and jail staffs’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. From 2001 to 2018, overdose deaths in state prisons rose by more than 600% and overdose deaths in county jails increased by more than 200%. I talk about the various harm-reduction strategies that have been implemented in prisons and jails, including how staff feel about these strategies. I also discuss the emotional toll that t...

In this episode, I talk about emergency department (ED) doctors’ and nurses’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. Across multiple studies, researchers have examined the experiences of patients and staff in the ED, shedding light on the challenges, stigma, and opportunities that arise in treating opioid use disorder and preventing future overdoses. I talk about what the research tells us about patient perspectives, pr...

In this episode, I talk about law enforcers’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. How do police officers perceive their role in overdose situations? Do they see overdose calls as medical emergencies, criminal events, or something in between? I talk about the role of police at overdose calls, how police perceive naloxone, and the impact of overdose training on police officers. 

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This proj...

In this episode, I talk about first responders’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. First responders include firefighters, emergency medical responders, and police. I talk about first responders’ perceptions of naloxone, their procedures for responding to an overdose call, the emotional toll of responding to overdoses, and the policy issues raised by first responders.

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In this episode, I talk about illicit drug manufacturers’ and dealers’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. Specifically, I talk about how buyers’ trusted relationships with dealers act as a protective factor against overdose, mostly because dealers are dedicated to safety-checking their supply. I also review the literature on how people who sell drugs perceive drug-test technologies. Finally, I discuss an innovative...

In this episode, I talk about prescribers, providers, and pharmacists’ roles, responsibilities, and reactions to overdose. I start by reviewing some of the opioid prescription guidelines that have been implemented. I also review the literature on prescribing patterns and attitudes towards naloxone. I end by discussing the literature about providers’ emotional reactions to a patient’s overdose. 

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This p...

In the final episode of this season, I discuss support groups and treatment for the loved ones of people with SUD and overdose incidents. I review the literature on the coping mechanisms of bereaved loved ones, look at the formation and impact of peer-support groups, review therapy techniques to help people navigate grief after a drug-related death, and discuss the challenges of accessing support in general.

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