Maryland Addiction Consultation Service

14/08/2025

13/08/2025

National Recovery Month, observed every September, is just around the corner! 💜

To honor this occasion used to show support for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, MACS and Maryland BHIPP are hosting a live, virtual CME on Thursday, September 25. Join MACS Consultant Marc Fishman, MD, an addiction and adolescent psychiatrist, as he covers Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder in Youth.

Participants can expect to learn how to spot patterns of alcohol use in adolescents and young adults, recognize barriers to success in treatment of AUD in youth and identify approaches to improving AUD treatment among this patient population.

🔗 Register here: https://macs.oasis-lms.com/URL/0925_Social.

07/08/2025

💻 The August edition of the MACS Monthly Newsletter has been published! This month, we're spotlighting our collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health to launch a new resource webpage dedicated to combating stigma in healthcare settings.

In observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, we're sharing key statistics and insights that highlight why compassionate, accessible care is more vital than ever in the fight against substance use. We also linked the newest MACS Fact Sheets, “The Role of Sleep and Suvorexant in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment” and "Opioid Withdrawal: The Importance of Self-Reported Symptoms." Check out both of those below!

🔗https://www.marylandmacs.org/media/som/microsites/macs/The-Role-of-Sleep-and-Suvorexant-in-Opioid-Use-Disorder-Treatment.pdf

�https://www.marylandmacs.org/media/som/microsites/macs/Opioid-Withdrawal-The-Importance-of-Self-Reported-Symptoms.pdf

Head to your inbox for the newsletter or subscribe using the link here: https://conta.cc/3zHeW0Z.

05/08/2025

You still have time to register for this webinar tomorrow, August 6, covering "Emerging Drug Threat: Medetomidine."

Presented by the Opioid Response Network and the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, this webinar will break down the pharmacology and treatment strategies surrounding and provide critical knowledge for any clinician treating substance use disorders.

Register here: https://education.aoaam.org/Public/Catalog/Details.aspx?id=cB1Vfow1cuCAp7%2bOflwShw%3d%3d.

ORN Summer 2025 Hot Topics in Addiction Medicine

Emerging Drug Threat: Medetomidine

August 6, 2025 | 5 p.m. ET
ICU admissions are surging in connection with a powerful vet= erinary sedative now showing up in the illicit drug supply medetomidine.

Join us for this important ORN Summer 2025: Hot Topics in Addiction Medicine webinar, where we break down:

- The pharmacology and toxicity of medetomidine

- The unique and severe withdrawal syndrome

- Evidence-based treatment strategies developed in real-time, in collaboration with academic partners across the country

Learning Objectives Include:

-Demographic trends and public health response

-Acute management and withdrawal protocols

-Long-term outcomes and patient disposition

This is critical knowledge for any clinician treating substance use disorders (SUDs) today.

Register:
https://buff.ly/VS5izkO

04/08/2025

We're addressing the critical issue of stigma in healthcare settings in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health .

Terry Fitzgerald, MD, observes that when we stigmatize addiction, we become a barrier to recovery. We're committed to overcoming these barriers and fostering supportive spaces where every patient can feel comfortable seeking treatment.

➡️ Visit our resource page to access information to help combat stigma and hear from your colleagues in their own words: https://www.marylandmacs.org/resources/stigma-in-healthcare-settings/.

01/08/2025

continues, and we are exploring a critical aspect of OUD treatment.

One of our latest MACS fact sheets, "Opioid Withdrawal: The Importance of Self-Reported Symptoms," is here to assist healthcare providers with vital insights for effective patient management.

This resource reveals why self-reported symptoms (like those captured by the SOWS) are not just important, but often more sensitive and predictive of treatment outcomes than observer-rated scales (COWS).

🔗 Access the fact sheet here: https://www.marylandmacs.org/media/som/microsites/macs/Opioid-Withdrawal-The-Importance-of-Self-Reported-Symptoms.pdf.

To connect with MACS to schedule an individualized consultation or register for an upcoming educational opportunity, call 1-855-337-MACS (6227) or visit www.marylandmacs.org.

25/07/2025

🎉 It's ! This week, we are sharing a new fact sheet created by the MACS team: "The Role of Sleep and Suvorexant in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment."

Did you know:
📉 Poor sleep among patients with OUD can predict return to use and overdose risk?
🧠 Sleep disruption worsens cravings and emotional dysregulation?

This new resource explores how vital sleep management is in recovery, and how Suvorexant (Belsomra®) can be an effective tool to improve sleep in the patient population with OUD. Suvorexant offers a unique approach to promoting healthy sleep patterns and addressing sleep disturbances that can complicate treatment.

🔗 Check out the fact sheet: https://www.marylandmacs.org/media/som/microsites/macs/The-Role-of-Sleep-and-Suvorexant-in-Opioid-Use-Disorder-Treatment.pdf.

To have your clinical questions answered by our team of addiction medicine specialists or to register for an upcoming training opportunity, call 1-855-337-MACS (6227) or visit www.marylandmacs.org.

24/07/2025

Proveedores, sabía que los habitantes de Maryland pueden conectarse con especialistas locales de llamadas de crisis de salud conductual a través de la línea 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline?

Los habitantes de Maryland que sufren crisis de salud mental o por abuso de sustancias pueden obtener ayuda inmediata llamando o enviando un mensaje de texto al 9-8-8. Cuando usted, sus pacientes o alguien que usted conoce necesite apoyo, los especialistas de 988 están disponibles para ayudar 24/7. Para más información o ayuda visiten: 988Lifeline.org.

Maryland Department of Health

24/07/2025

Providers, that Marylanders can connect to local behavioral health crisis call specialists through the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline?

Marylanders experiencing mental health or substance use crises can get immediate help by calling or texting 9-8-8. When you, your patients or someone you know needs support, 988 specialists are available to reach 24/7. Learn more or chat online at: 988Lifeline.org.

Maryland Department of Health

23/07/2025

🤰🏾 As continues, we are examining the effects of substance use as a contributor to maternal fatalities at a local level.

According to the Maryland Department of Health ’s Maryland Maternal Mortality Review, which assessed data from 2011 to 2020, substance use disorder and overdose was the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths statewide. In this time period, substance use disorder and overdose accounted for 114 (28%) of pregnancy-associated deaths in Maryland with a known cause.

Providers can reach out to MACS for MOMs with questions regarding the care of pregnant and postpartum patients with substance use disorders or chronic pain. To connect with MACS for MOMs to schedule an individualized consultation or register for an upcoming training, call 1-855-337-MACS (6227) or visit www.macsformoms.org.

22/07/2025

MACS is hosting an ECHO Session tomorrow at noon for our learning community focused on Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective. Hosted by Dr. Max Spaderna, the ECHO session will center around Trauma and Su***de Risk in Opioid Use Disorder.

This case-based discussion and didactic presentation will link providers with their peers, addiction medicine experts and trauma-informed care specialists.

To register for our final ECHO Session of the month, visit the link here: https://www.marylandmacs.org/echo/.

21/07/2025