Sonya Del Tredici and John Keenan
Sonya Del Tredici and John Keenan
39. Opioid Abstinence and Cognitive Function
39. Opioid Abstinence and Cognitive Function
39. Opioid Abstinence and Cognitive Function
Monday 8th April 2024
Explore cognitive improvements in opioid abstinence and innovative addiction treatments in this insightful episode of Addiction Medicine Journal Club.
31 minutes
Informative
Hopeful
Supportive
Encouraging
Educational
About this podcast
Author:
Sonya Del Tredici and John Keenan
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Family Recovery from Addiction
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Episodes:
56 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Boosting Brain Power: Cognitive Gains from Opioid Abstinence
Episode Overview
- Opioid abstinence leads to significant cognitive improvements within weeks.
- Paramedics in Missouri are piloting buprenorphine administration in the field.
- Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can cause symptoms weeks or months after cessation.
- Study shows rapid gains in attention and memory, with executive function improving later.
- Innovative treatments can help reduce caregiver burnout and improve patient outcomes.
I think giving them this kind of counselling that they will have at least cognitive improvement... just one more thing to build them up.
Ever wondered how opioid abstinence affects cognitive function? This episode of Addiction Medicine Journal Club dives into a fascinating study that explores this very topic. Dr. Sonia del Tredici and Dr. John Keenan discuss a longitudinal study by Kaur et al., which examines the neuropsychological performance of men with opioid use disorder over an eight-week period of abstinence. They highlight the study's key findings, including improvements in attention, concentration, and verbal memory within just two weeks of stopping opioids.
Executive function also showed significant gains, but these took a bit longer to manifest, appearing between weeks two and eight. In addition to the primary study, the hosts chat about a Missouri pilot programme where paramedics administer buprenorphine alongside naloxone in the field to combat withdrawal symptoms and stabilise patients. This innovative approach aims to reduce caregiver burnout and improve patient outcomes.
The episode also touches on post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), a condition where withdrawal symptoms reappear weeks or months after cessation. Dr. Casey Grover's article on PAWS is discussed, shedding light on this lesser-known aspect of addiction recovery. Dr. Keenan shares his excitement about the study's implications for patient care, particularly in how it can be used to motivate patients who feel they have irreversibly damaged their brains.
The discussion is rounded off with listener comments and additional insights into the cultural aspects of addiction treatment in different regions. If you're curious about the cognitive benefits of opioid abstinence or interested in innovative approaches to addiction treatment, this episode is a must-listen. It offers valuable insights for both healthcare professionals and those on their recovery journey.