• about MERF
• MERF participants
• scholarships
• resources
  • addiction and chronic medical illnesses (2)
  • addiction science, brain disease (7)
  • clinical guidelines (18)
  • epidemiology (2)
  • medical education (27)
  • pain and addiction (5)
  • patient education (11)
  • recovery, spirituality (8)
  • screening and brief intervention (18)
  • teaching materials (1)

clinical guidelines

AA–Does It Work? (2005)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
Good overview for physicians by Hilary Smith Connery, MD, PhD, and others. Covers the important role physicians play in patients benefiting from AA, how patients benefit from AA, the effectiveness of AA, attendance vs. participation. 12 Step resources are included on the final page, all linked to internet sites.  Curr Psychiatry 2005; 4(5): 56-67.
AA–Involvement and Outcome (2003)
Type: URL	Downloadable: No	Comments: 0
For the clinician interested in the relationship between AA participation and long term recovery. A study of more than 2000 alcoholic males 1 and 2 years post treatment. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that AA participation has a positive effect on alcohol-related outcomes. Available (for purchase) as a PDF from the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.  J Consult Clin Psychol 2003; 71(2):302-308.
ACT–Brief Intervention Curriculum
Type: Document	Downloadable: No	Comments: 0
This curriculum, a project of the Boston Medical Center, is a product of the Alcohol Clinical Training (ACT) Project. It is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in cooperation with the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health. The curriculum slides and videos can be freely downloaded from  Alcohol Screening & Brief Intervention Curriculum–BU or www.mdalcoholtraining.org or used online. Narrative for the slides is included as a guide for teachers.
ASAM AAPM APS Consensus Definitions of Addiction and Related Terms (2006)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
A consensus document that clarifies the definition of addiction and related terms. The consensus statement was developed and agreed upon by The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), The American Pain Society (APS) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The most recent update published is February 28, 2006 on the ASAM web site in Public Policy Statements. Paraphrasing the ASAM publication: Clear terminology is necessary for effective communication regarding medical issues. Scientists, clinicians, regulators and the lay public use disparate definitions of terms related to addiction. These disparities contribute to a misunderstanding of the nature of addiction and the risk of addiction, especially in situations in which opioids are used, or are being considered for use, to manage pain. Confusion regarding the treatment of pain results in unnecessary suffering, economic burdens to society, and inappropriate adverse actions against patients and professionals. The consensus statement provides distinct and clear definitions for ADDICTION, PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE and TOLERANCE to eliminate confusion and promote better patient care and communication between scientists, health care providers, regulators, patients and the lay public.
Biomarkers for Alcohol Use and Abuse (2005)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
Well presented, easy to read and reference by Karen Peterson, Ph.D. A clinician’s guide to use of currently available laboratory screening for alcohol use.  Alcohol Res Health 2004/2005; 28(1):30-37.
Methadone-Drug Interactions (3rd Ed, 2005)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
From Addiction Treatment Forum, a comprehensive and detailed review of medications that interact with methadone to increase or reduce its metabolism and its effects. Available as a PDF.
Methodone for Pain Guidelines (2004)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
Guidelines for physicians who use, in office practice, methadone for chronic pain management. From the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Canada.
NIAAA Clinician's Guide: "Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much"
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
All physicians should be familiar with the contents of the guide. A copy should be in every physician’s office. Easy access to information on screening, intervention, management, resources, patient education handouts. How to screen for alcohol related problems; how to talk with patients. Also available at: www.niaaa.nih.gov. Includes forms, Spanish version of booklet, on-line education on how to screen for alcohol related problems, clinical manuals from the COMBINE study, etc..
NIAAA Clinician's Guide: How to use (Powerpoint)
Type: URL	Downloadable: No	Comments: 0
Powerpoint presentation on how to use NIAAA clinician's guides. Download the 18 MB Powerpoint presentation from the NIAAA website.
NIAAA Clinician's Pocket Guide
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
A quick and easy to use accordion folded 3 ½ “ X 7” booklet on screening and brief intervention. Simple to follow guidelines and algorithms.
NIAAA–National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Website
Type: URL	Downloadable: No	Comments: 0
NIAAA Website
NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-based Guide
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
An excellent publications for all readers -- clinicians and patients.  This 54-page booklet does not mince words.  In clear, straightforward language, it states principles, some perhaps controversial,  succinctly and candidly.
Outpatient Management of Patients with Alcohol Problems (2000)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
From Annals of Internal Medicine series in primary care. The authors, David A. Fiellin M.D. and others, provide information on how to screen and effective methods of screening. Assessing harmful drinking, clinical care, outpatient management and referral are clearly outlined.  Ann Intern Med 2000; 133:815-827.
Role of the Primary Care Physician in Problems of Substance Abuse (1999)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
For the motivated primary care physician. The authors, Michael F. Weaver M.D. and others, provide guidelines on how to recognize (and treat if appropriate) intoxication and withdrawal of most drugs of abuse. Also includes techniques for brief intervention plus guidelines on how to provide long-term primary care for patients with substance use problems.  Arch Intern Med 1999; 159:913-924.
Samet: Beyond Cage—A Brief Clinical Approach After Detection of Substance Abuse (1996)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
What do you do if your patient screens positive on the CAGE? This article, by Jeffrey H. Samet, M.D., et. al., is a brief overview of how to tailor your response to be most effective to the particular patient. Arch Intern Med 1996; 156: 2287-2293.
Screening & Brief Intervention (NIAAA)
Type: URL	Downloadable: No	Comments: 0
A more extensive guide for clinicians interested in learning and implementing strategies that utilize effective and varied levels of screening and brief intervention of alcoholism and other drug use. Read part I and part II (which focuses on settings) online at the NIAAA website.
Screening for Alcohol Problems in Primary Care: A Systematic Review (2000)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
By David A. Fiellin M.D. and others. For clinicians interested in a review of evidence supporting the clinical use of formal screening instruments (CAGE, AUDIT).  Arch Intern Med 2000; 160:1977-1989.
Urine Drug Testing in Clinical Practice (3rd Ed, 2006)
Type: Document	Downloadable: Yes	Comments: 0
This is the 3rd edition (2006) of this widely respected monograph. Twenty-two pages chock full of practical specifics and explanation of clinical uses. Includes sections on Why to Test, When to Test, Urine Testing Methods, Interpretation of Results. Brief reviews of the technologies using saliva, hair, sweat, blood. Three case studies from clinical practice. The glossary alone is helpful. Available as a PDF from the website of the California Academy of Family Physicians.