Charles Atkins, MD, Lecturer in Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, has released the book, "Opioid Use Disorders: A Holistic Guide to Assessment, Treatment and Recovery."
The book, according to Atkins, is "pitched for both the professional and general reader and includes real stories and rich case studies among the didactic material. I also envision it in the classroom, and similar to my co-occurring book, it walks the reader through ways to create relationships and foster positive change in the midst of challenges and complex circumstances.
"It was important to me that this book be readable and provide practical ways to work with folks in all stages of recovery, including those not yet able, or willing, to ditch the dangerous substances that place them at tremendous risk for overdose. The chapters have a natural flow, but can be read out of order. There's material on special populations: women, pregnancy, adolescents, older people, as well as a lot of attention to co-occurring substance use and mental health problems. Harm reduction, abstinence, multiple evidence-based and eclectic approaches are included, along with everything you might need, or want, to know about Medication-Assisted Treatment."
Atkins is an opioid addictions expert and Chief Medical Officer of Community Mental Health Affiliates in New Britain. He is the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction books, including mysteries, thrillers, and clinical works.
He also lectures and presents workshops on bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, dialectic behavior therapy, mindful writing, serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, and opioid use disorders.