Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder: What Every Emergency Physician Should Know
Patients with untreated substance use are 81% more likely to require admission when they come to the ED. We need to learn more and do better in treating substance use in the acute care setting.
Imagine standing in a bustling emergency room, faced with a patient struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD). What tools do you have at your disposal to help them? In this episode, Dr. Casey Grover sheds light on the medications available for treating AUD, offering a practical guide for healthcare professionals in acute care settings. Dr. Grover breaks down the indications, dosing, side effects, efficacy, contraindications, and costs of various medications designed to prevent relapse and reduce alcohol intake.
He discusses both FDA-approved and non-FDA-approved options, providing a comprehensive overview that will leave you better equipped to support your patients. You'll also hear about the potential for reducing alcohol intake as an alternative to complete abstinence, giving you more flexibility in treatment approaches. If you've ever felt uncertain about how to use these medications effectively, this episode is a must-listen.