Information for Medical Providers
In this section you will find information specifcially aimed at allowing those who provide medical care to better address the needs of their currently and formerly drug using patients. We can provide PDF copies
these articles if you email us.
What is harm reduction therapy?
Harm Reduction Therapy is a motivational approach to increasing people's desire for greater health and well-being and increasing their motivation and capacity to achieve a healthier life. Drug users with other problems (mental illness, HIV, or Hepatitis C, for example) make up the majority of the patients. They need a therapeutic approach that helps them at any point in their struggle with drugs and alcohol. Harm Reduction Therapy starts where the client is, works from the principles of acceptance and empowerment, and moves people in the direction of better health and responsibility. Its goal is improved quality of life in the areas of mental health, homelessness, incarceration, employment, and disease transmission, which has been demonstrated to be achievable without demanding abstinence from drugs and alcohol as a condition of treatment or assistance.
Read more from the Harm Reduction Therapy Center.
Hepatitis C
Edlin BR, Kresina TF, Raymond DB, Carden MR, Gourevitch MN, Rich JD, Cheever LW, Cargill VA.
Overcoming barriers to prevention, care and treatment of hepatitis C in illicit drug users. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Apr 15;40 Suppl 5:S276-85.
Full text: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1510897
Cooper CL, Mills EJ. Therapeutic challenges in hepatitis C-infected injection drug using patients. Harm Reduct J. 2006 Nov 10;3:31.
Full text: http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/3/1/31
Spaulding AC, Weinbaum CM, Lau DT, Sterling R, Seeff LB, Margolis HS, Hoofnagle JH. A framework for management of hepatitis C in prisons. Ann Intern Med. 2006 May 16;144(10):762-9.
Full text: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/144/10/762
9 Tips for Treating Hep C in Current & Former Substance Users
This brochure, produced by the Hepatitis C Harm Reduction Project, specifically targets health service providers. It offers basic information on providing care, as well as patient/provider relations.
When is the next buprenorphine training in North Carolina?
As of June, no DATA 2000-qualifying trainings are scheduled for North Carolina for the remainder of 2007. Click here to check if the list has been updated.
What are the treatment guidelines for opioid dependence?
SAMHSA's Tip 43 contains detailed infromation on how to titrate and maintian patietns on buprenorphine.
