Clinical toxicology testing helps clinicians and case workers help patients by providing critical information about substances in a patient’s system. There are two main testing platforms: qualitative (meaning the test is either positive or negative) and quantitative (meaning the test measures drug concentration). Screening (also
New data on synthetic opioids show an alarming number of overdose deaths due to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid available both as a prescription and increasingly on the black market. Currently 18 states and the District of Columbia show increases in fentanyl overdose deaths in 2015. Between
Because the opioid epidemic is such a critical issue to both our nation and our industry, the Cordant news section is launching its first-ever series to look more in-depth at substance use disorder and its treatment options. This first article introduces this complex problem. Later
In its recent report on leading causes of death in the United States, the CDC estimates that the number of potentially preventable deaths decreased from 2010 to 2014 for three of the five leading causes of death (cancer, stroke and heart disease). However, deaths due
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s has published its reporting requirements for physicians authorized to prescribe buprenorphine at the increased limit of 275 patients. Previously, practitioners with the appropriate waiver could only prescribe buprenorphine for up to 100 patients per year. The recently
In order to shine a spotlight on the skyrocketing numbers of opioid-related overdoses, President Obama today declared the nation’s first Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioid pain relievers, heroin, and fentanyl, has
Newly gathered statistics show a rapid increase in the number of organs being donated from victims who died of opioid overdoses. According to data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 848 organ donors died of drug intoxication in 2015, a significant jump in this category
1. Ethyl glucuronide is a direct, minor metabolite that can be used as a biomarker for ethanol exposure. Like any other toxin, ethanol is excreted from the body in a variety of ways. These include: Direct excretion of ethanol (5–10%) in urine, sweat and breath