Overcoming the Challenges of Substance Use Disorders: A Pocket Guide for Clinicians

Substance use disorders pose significant challenges for practitioners, including ambivalence, poor adherence to treatment, and co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions. With only 10% of patients receiving specialized addiction treatment, it’s essential for physicians across medical and surgical specialties to develop the skills and confidence to assess and treat these complex cases.

The Pocket Guide to Addiction Assessment and Treatment is designed to support clinicians, regardless of their addiction training, in providing high-quality care to patients with substance use disorders. This practical guide is divided into three sections, covering the fundamentals of addiction, substances and behaviors, and treatment options.

Fundamentals of Addiction

Understanding the neurobiology of addiction is crucial for effective treatment. This section provides an in-depth exploration of the underlying mechanisms driving addiction, enabling clinicians to develop a deeper understanding of their patients’ experiences.

Substances and Behaviors

• Recognizing and treating intoxication, withdrawal, and addiction to substances such as alcohol, anabolic-androgenic steroids, benzodiazepines, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, tobacco, hallucinogens, inhalants, and caffeine.
• Addressing psychiatric and medical comorbidities, including special considerations for specific populations.
• Understanding and addressing behavioral addictions, with a focus on gambling disorder.

Treatment Options

This section covers a range of evidence-based treatment approaches, including:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• 12-step programs
• Nutrition and exercise in addiction recovery
• Spirituality, mindfulness, and meditation as complementary therapies

With its accessible, easily referenced format, the Pocket Guide to Addiction Assessment and Treatment serves as a valuable resource for general psychiatrists, internists, family practitioners, pediatricians, emergency medicine physicians, psychiatric nurses, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals involved in addiction treatment. As a DSM-5–based guide, readers can trust that they’re receiving the most up-to-date, relevant guidance on substance use disorders.

By empowering clinicians with the knowledge and skills to confidently assess and treat patients with substance use disorders, this guide aims to improve patient outcomes and bridge the gap in addiction treatment.