Thursday, September 10, 2020

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): The ASAM Criteria

 



The ASAM Criteria is the most commonly used guidelines for the treatment of patients with substance

use disorders. The ASAM Criteria is the result of a collaboration to define criteria for providing outcome-

oriented and results-based care in the treatment of addiction.

The ASAM Criteria is an important resource that addiction medicine professionals rely on. They refer to

a multidimensional patient assessment which helps determine the intensity and scope of treatment that

is recommended. They are useful to patients, treatment providers, managed care providers, and other

stakeholders and professionals

The six dimensions are:

1. Acute intoxication and/ or withdrawal potential

2. Biomedical conditions and complications

3. Emotional, behavioral or cognitive conditions and complications

4. Readiness to change

5. Relapse, continued use, or continued problem potential

6. Recovery/ Living Environment.

The information from these assessments is used to determine the appropriate level of care and services

for an individual patient.

Wayne Macfadden MD is a Board Certified Psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and

Neurology. Dr. Macfadden is a Fellow in the Philadelphia College of Physicians, and a former Fellow in

the American College of Psychiatrists. Dr. Macfadden is also certified in Addiction Medicine by the

American Board of Preventive Medicine, and had Added Qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry. Dr.

Wayne Macfadden has worked in a variety of treatment and research settings, and is currently with the

Spirt Lake Nation Tribe in Fort Totten, North Dakota as their first full- time Psychiatrist.  

He is also a member of ASAM since 2018.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Common and Lesser-Known Mental Disorders



Wayne Macfadden, MD, is Psychiatrist at the Spirit Lake Indian Health Center in North Dakota. Board-certified in Psychiatry, he is also Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. Wayne Macfadden MD, started a company with his wife named International Psychiatric Services, to address mental disorders, especially those resulting from substance abuse.

A mental disorder, also referred to as a psychiatric disorder, is a condition that affects a person's behavior, mood, and thinking pattern. The word “disorder” applies when the condition degrades the patient's ability to function correctly and relate to others. Mental disorders may be chronic or intermittent.

Well-known disorders include Depression, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder. However, there are many other severe disorders which get far less attention but still require care.

For example, there is Stendhal Syndrome, associated with panic attacks, confusion, and hallucinations, often triggered when a patient is exposed to beautiful art or a large concentration of it, as in a museum. Likewise, Capgras Syndrome is characterized by the belief that an impostor has replaced a loved one. It usually occurs in patients with Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, and Schizophrenia. 

Friday, August 28, 2020

Published: How Substance Abuse Shapes the Brain’s Functionality


I published “How Substance Abuse Shapes the Brain’s Functionality” on @Medium https://ift.tt/3ls5Itq

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Published: Does Substance Abuse or Mental Illness Come First?


I published “Does Substance Abuse or Mental Illness Come First?” on @Medium https://ift.tt/2FHQXlZ

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): Background

 American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): Background



The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is professional medical society representing over 6,000 physicians, clinicians and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine. ASAM is dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment, educating physicians and the public, supporting research and prevention, and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of patients with addiction. Their vision is “A future when addiction prevention, treatment, remission and recovery are accessible to all, and profoundly improve the health of all people”.


Earlier this year, ASAM published the “National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: 2020 Focused Update”. This is an update and replacement of the last edition, published in 2015. The recommendations in this document reflect the consensus of an independent committee which considered all clinical and scientific advances in the field. It is widely thought of as the standard of care in the treatment of patients with opioid use disorders.


Wayne Macfadden MD is a Board Certified Psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Macfadden is a Fellow in the Philadelphia College of Physicians, and a former Fellow in the American College of Psychiatrists. Dr. Macfadden is also certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and had Added Qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Wayne Macfadden has worked in a variety of treatment and research settings, and is currently with the Spirt Lake Nation Tribe in Fort Totten, North Dakota as their first full- time Psychiatrist.  


He is also a member of ASAM since 2018. 


Monday, August 3, 2020

Published: COVID-19 affecting treatment of schizophrenia


I published “COVID-19 affecting treatment of schizophrenia” on @Medium https://ift.tt/3kcRe07

Friday, July 31, 2020

Published: Which medications are used for “MAT” (Medicated Assisted Treatment)?


I published “Which medications are used for “MAT” (Medicated Assisted Treatment)?” on @Medium https://ift.tt/3fhlMtP