Episode 36 - What labs can you use to assess alcohol use? (follow up to Episode #27)

Episode 36 - What labs can you use to assess alcohol use? (follow up to Episode #27)

Addiction Medicine Made Easy

Dr. Casey Grover guides you through essential lab tests for assessing alcohol use in emergency settings.

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23:5430 Sept 2022

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Unlocking the Secrets of Lab Tests for Alcohol Use in Emergency Care

Treating substance use disorders saves lives.

Picture this: you're in the middle of a busy shift in the Emergency Department, and a patient comes in who you suspect has an alcohol use disorder. But which lab tests should you order to confirm your hunch? In this episode of 'Addiction in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care', Dr. Casey Grover takes you through the maze of lab tests available to assess alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.

Whether you're familiar with carbohydrate deficient transferrin, GGT, AST, ALT, and MCV, or you're hearing about ethyl glucuronide, ethyl sulfate, and phosphatidylethanol for the first time, this episode has got you covered. Dr. Grover breaks down the sensitivity and specificity of each test and offers practical advice on interpreting the results. This isn't just a dry run-through of medical jargon; it's a hands-on guide aimed at helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions quickly.

The episode emphasizes the critical role of early intervention in treating substance use disorders, potentially saving lives. If you're working in acute care or emergency medicine, this episode is a must-listen to enhance your toolkit for tackling alcohol use disorders.

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