Episode #94 High Truths and Drugs and Addiction with Millenium Health and Drug TestingEpisode #94 High Truths and Drugs and Addiction with Millenium Health and Drug Testing
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Is drug testing important? Does it make a clinical difference? I discuss this question with Drs. Dawson and Passik from Millennium Health. Millennium Health Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory with over a decade of experience in medication monitoring and drug testing services, helping clinicians monitor use of prescription medications and illicit drugs and analyzing specimens to find nationwide drug use trends. Eric Dawson, PharmD Eric Dawson, PharmD brings a diverse background of over 20 years of clinical experience, research, and education. He has a particular interest in the issues surrounding appropriate opioid prescribing as well the consequences of drug abuse, misuse, and diversion. He is passionate about educating clinicians on the topic and has given many lectures to pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Dawson has also authored or coauthored several publications in JAMA, JAMA Network Open, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, etc. on drug use. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Auburn University graduating with highest honors. He is also a licensed pharmacist in the state of Alabama. Steven Passik, PhD After a 25-year career as an academic clinical psychologist working with cancer and non-cancer pain patients and their families, Dr. Steve Passik has now been in industry for nearly 10 years. Having worked at the interface of pain and addiction both clinically and conducting research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt University, Dr. Passik came to industry to contribute to safer pain management and improved addiction recognition and treatment. He initially began working at Millennium Health with an eye toward strengthening the evidence base underpinning urine drug testing in pain and addiction management. He then spent several years in pharma working to help in the development of safer opioid formulations. He returns now to Millennium Health as VP, Scientific Affairs and Head of Clinical Data Programs, working primarily on expanding work begun at MH using aggregated urine drug testing results from around the country to inform clinicians, policy makers and public health officials on the changing landscape of substance use to help facilitate a data driven approach to this enormous public health problem.
1:16:08•10 Oct 2022
The Crucial Role of Drug Testing in Addiction and Pain Management
“I spent so much of my career trying to help my clinician colleagues become better at communicating why they're doing a drug test and everything.”
Ever thought about how drug testing fits into the bigger picture of addiction and pain management? In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev chats with Drs. Eric Dawson and Steven Passik from Millennium Health to shed light on this essential topic. Millennium Health, a leading specialty lab, has been at the forefront of medication monitoring and drug testing for over a decade.
They help clinicians keep track of prescription and illicit drug use, offering a clearer view of national drug trends. Dr. Dawson, with his rich background in clinical experience and research, dives into the complexities of opioid prescribing and the ripple effects of drug misuse. He's passionate about educating healthcare professionals and has shared his knowledge through numerous lectures and publications. On the other hand, Dr.
Passik brings his expertise from a 25-year career as an academic clinical psychologist, working with both cancer and non-cancer pain patients. Together, they discuss the challenges and benefits of drug testing, especially in the context of the opioid crisis. They explore how urine drug testing can be a powerful tool for monitoring patient compliance and preventing misuse. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on drug abuse and the evolving landscape of drug testing.
If you're curious about how drug testing can make a difference in treatment plans or want to understand the broader implications for public health, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn why communication and collaboration are key in this critical aspect of addiction medicine.
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