Featured Publications
From taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder
Weleff J, Nunes J, Costa G, Sofuoglu M, MacLean R, De Aquino J. From taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 38627909, PMCID: PMC11480258, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderChronic painLong-term opioid therapyManagement of chronic painPain management alternativeOpioid-induced analgesiaInnovative treatment optionsManagement of painReverse painCentral sensitizationOpioid therapyPain controlTreatment optionsClinical challengeClinical trialsPainPotential therapeutic applicationsPain experiencePotential of psychedelicsNovel therapeuticsHuman evidenceOpioid crisisNeurobiological substratesOpioidExploration of novel therapeuticsAssessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations
Nunes J, Costa G, Weleff J, Rogan M, Compton P, De Aquino J. Assessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024 PMID: 38556851, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAssess painPain assessmentPain experienceConcomitant chronic painChronic opioid therapyQuantitative sensory testingVisual analogue scalePain assessment methodsPain assessment toolsComplex psychosocial backgroundImprove pain assessmentOpioid therapyOpioid usePain responseChronic painAnalogue scaleTraditional self-report methodsPainRisk factorsUse disorderOpioidNarrative reviewSelf-report methodsMultidisciplinary teamThe impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Costa G, Nunes J, Heringer D, Anand A, De Aquino J. The impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 12-26. PMID: 38225727, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useOpioid use disorderOpioid useCannabis useOpioid use disorder pharmacotherapyUse disorderImpact of cannabis useAverage follow-up timeFollow-up timeMeta-analysisEvidence of moderate heterogeneityImpact of cannabisPooled odds ratioOpioids non-medicallyRandom-effects modelMeta-analysis of longitudinal studiesCannabis abstinenceTreatment modalitiesOdds ratioModerate heterogeneityPharmacotherapyCannabisOpioidComprehensive searchPublication bias
2024
Navigating new norms: Addiction specialists' perspectives on opioid use disorder treatments and policy challenges in the fentanyl era
Weleff J, Christian N, Wang J, Singh M, De Aquino J, Saxon A, Vassallo G. Navigating new norms: Addiction specialists' perspectives on opioid use disorder treatments and policy challenges in the fentanyl era. American Journal On Addictions 2024 PMID: 39364597, DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13653.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSlow-release oral morphineOpioid use disorderBarriers to OUD treatmentAddiction specialistsOpioid use disorder managementUse disorderOUD treatmentThird-line monotherapyFisher's exact testOpioid use disorder treatmentOff-label prescribingOral morphineAgonist opioidsOpioid agonistsOpioid-related overdoseTherapeutic optionsWithdrawal symptomsNovel therapiesExact testOpioidMOUD prescribingSynthetic opioidsClinical practiceClinical approachCompare respondent characteristicsEditorial for the themed issue: Addressing the dual challenges of opioid use disorder and chronic pain in the context of the opioid crisis
Sofuoglu M, MacLean R, De Aquino J. Editorial for the themed issue: Addressing the dual challenges of opioid use disorder and chronic pain in the context of the opioid crisis. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024, 90: 2960-2961. PMID: 39340184, PMCID: PMC11604519, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Impact of High-Potency Synthetic Opioids on Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review
Jegede O, De Aquino J, Hsaio C, Caldwell E, Funaro M, Petrakis I, Muvvala S. The Impact of High-Potency Synthetic Opioids on Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2024, 18: 499-510. PMID: 39356620, PMCID: PMC11449257, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001356.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNonmedical opioid useOpioid use disorderOpioid useWithdrawal symptomsTreatment outcomesSymptoms prior to treatmentUse disorderRisk of precipitated withdrawalLow-dose buprenorphineSynthetic opioidsPotency synthetic opioidsConclusions Current evidencePrecipitated withdrawalRisk of overdoseDosing strategiesPharmacological interactionsClinical significanceDecreased riskWeb of ScienceOpioidInclusion criteriaCurrent evidenceClinical implicationsMOUDPainDisentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes
Nunes J, Jegede O, De Aquino J. Disentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 455-461. PMID: 39018662, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2024.2369866.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderUse disorderRacism-related stressChronic pain outcomesOpioid overdose mortality ratesOverdose mortality ratesHealthcare disparitiesBiopsychosocial burdenPain outcomesPrescribed opioidsUndertreated painChronic painPain managementOpioid mortalityPerpetuate stigmaTreat painPain experienceOpioidPainRisk factorsMinoritized populationsMinoritized peopleMortality rateDisparitiesAddiction treatment
2020
Rapid Transition From Methadone to Buprenorphine Utilizing a Micro-dosing Protocol in the Outpatient Veteran Affairs Setting.
De Aquino J, Fairgrieve C, Klaire S, Garcia-Vassallo G. Rapid Transition From Methadone to Buprenorphine Utilizing a Micro-dosing Protocol in the Outpatient Veteran Affairs Setting. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2020, 14: e271-e273. PMID: 32011408, PMCID: PMC7392785, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000618.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderPrecipitated withdrawalTreatment of opioid use disorderCessation of methadoneMicro-dose protocolRisk of precipitated withdrawalMethadone to buprenorphineOpioid agonist therapyTransition to buprenorphineAgonist therapyOpioid useOutpatient protocolUse disorderOutpatient settingVeterans Affairs settingsBuprenorphineMethadonePsychiatry settingWithdrawalTransition protocolDemonstrating feasibilityInductionOpioidTherapyPatients