145 Youth Opioid Use Disorder: What Primary Care Needs to Know

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

Despite ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, there has been a steady increase in the number of individuals struggling with substance use disorder. This trend has left healthcare providers and parents searching for effective ways to address the problem. In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino and Dr. Deepa Camenga delve into the impact of the opioid epidemic on children and teenagers. They also discuss strategies for screening, identifying, and treating substance use disorder in pediatric patients. One of the primary challenges faced by clinicians is maintaining confidentiality. It is crucial to ensure that teenagers feel heard and respected, as this is instrumental in building trust and facilitating necessary treatment. Simultaneously, parents play a vital role in initiating open conversations with their children about substance use and addiction. By proactively managing addiction at an early stage, teenagers can lead healthy and fulfilling lives, thereby avoiding the long-term consequences associated with addiction. If you know anyone who might be battling with this issue, please share this very important episode.        

[00:33 -14:14] Opioid Use Disorders in the US

• Approximately 2.7 million people in the US have an opioid use disorder
• The numbers of teens and young adults with opioid use disorder are smaller but may be underestimated  
• The age of first use of opioids has risen from adolescence to just above 18 years old
• The AAP recommends validated screeners for substance use such as the S2BI, B-STAD, and CRAS

[14:15 - 27:24]  Strategies for Supporting Youth with Substance Use  

• Build a trusting relationship with the youth
• Use open-ended questions to encourage conversation
• Listen actively and reflectively to what the youth is saying  
• Avoid using judgmental language or tone

[27:25 - 38:59]  Confidentiality in Adolescent Substance Use

• Gray area in breaking confidentiality for substance use
• Breaking confidentiality for fentanyl and heroin use is necessary  
• Clinical judgment needed for vaping and cannabis use
• Be prepared for uncomfortable conversations with parents about breaking confidentiality

[39:00 - 48:06]  Resources for Treating Substance Use in Teens 

• Child psychiatry access programs are expanding across the US
• Family medicine providers can be valuable resources for treatment referrals
• The Provider's Clinical Support System offers resources on medications for opioid use disorder
• The AAP provides buprenorphine trainings and echoes for pediatric clinicians 

[48:07 - 55:45]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Dr. Deepa Camenga

www.linkedin.com/in/Deepa-Camenga. 

Links to resources mentioned on the show

--AAP News Article: Fentanyl a rising threat to child health: What pediatricians should know

https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/22634/Fentanyl-a-rising-threat-to-child-health-What

--Resources for Parents Partnership to End Addiction drugfree.org

--Provider...