Featured Publications
Adaptations to Opioid Use Disorder Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey of Prescribers
Sung ML, Black AC, Blevins D, Henry BF, Cates-Wessel K, Dawes MA, Drexler K, Hagle H, Molfenter T, Levin FR, Becker WC, Edelman EJ. Adaptations to Opioid Use Disorder Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey of Prescribers. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2022, 16: 505-513. PMID: 35020698, PMCID: PMC9271533, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000948.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVirtual visitsOpioid use disorder careOpioid use disorderAcademic medical centerNational electronic surveyMOUD accessMOUD prescriptionsClinical outcomesBuprenorphine prescribersLongitudinal careMost prescribersMultivariable modelMedical CenterDisorder careUse disordersMOUDPrescribersPatient accessibilityFree-text responsesOverall positive experienceVisitsElectronic surveyCOVID-19COVID-19 pandemicBehavioral healthcareAssociation Between Exposure to Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Opioid Analgesic Daily Dose Among Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy
Black AC, Zeliadt SB, Kerns RD, Skanderson M, Wang R, Gelman H, Douglas JH, Becker WC. Association Between Exposure to Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Opioid Analgesic Daily Dose Among Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy. The Clinical Journal Of Pain 2022, 38: 405-409. PMID: 35440528, DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioid therapyMorphine equivalent daily doseVeterans Health AdministrationDaily doseCIH exposureOpioid doseOpioid therapyWhole health systemCIH useVHA electronic health recordsIntegrative health modalitiesOpioid analgesic doseMean starting doseMental health diagnosesElectronic health recordsAnalgesic doseCIH therapiesNonopioid treatmentCohort entryOpioid taperingStarting doseAdverse eventsPain intensityChiropractic careVHA facilitiesCorrespondence Between Retrospective and Momentary Self‐Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Evidence for Peak and End Effects in Veterans
Decker SE, Rosen MI, Cooney NL, Schnurr PP, Black AC. Correspondence Between Retrospective and Momentary Self‐Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Evidence for Peak and End Effects in Veterans. Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2021, 34: 889-894. PMID: 33743184, DOI: 10.1002/jts.22669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConcordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis
Howell B, Black A, Grau L, Lin H, Greene C, Lee H, Heimer R, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin D, Becker W. Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 244: 109788. PMID: 36738634, PMCID: PMC9975083, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109788.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-mortem toxicologyOverdose deathsChief Medical ExaminerBenzodiazepine prescribingBenzodiazepine prescriptionsPrimary outcomePreventable deathsOpioid overdosesOpioidsAddiction servicesBenzodiazepinesMental healthStudy periodDeathMedical examinersConcordanceStatewide analysisSubstantial numberReceiptDaysDepartmentMedicationsToxicologyFentanylPrescribingProfiles of substance use related protective and risk factors and their associations with alcohol and tobacco use initiation among black adolescents
Sartor CE, Li EY, Black AC. Profiles of substance use related protective and risk factors and their associations with alcohol and tobacco use initiation among black adolescents. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2022, 23: 72-94. PMID: 35468309, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2022.2064383.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTobacco use initiationRisk factorsTobacco useUse initiationSubstance use studiesTobacco use riskUnderstanding of alcoholBlack adolescentsNon-interpersonal traumaHigher oddsLower oddsFamily-level supportSubstance useModest prevalenceUse riskClass 3National surveyAdolescentsTraumaInterpersonal traumaClass 1OddsClass 2Current studyLesser degreeClassification of Patients for Whom Benefit of Long-term Opioid Therapy No Longer Outweighs Harm: Protocol for a Delphi Study
Van Cleve R, Edmond S, Snow J, Black AC, Pomeranz JL, Becker W. Classification of Patients for Whom Benefit of Long-term Opioid Therapy No Longer Outweighs Harm: Protocol for a Delphi Study. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e33310. PMID: 35254277, PMCID: PMC8933798, DOI: 10.2196/33310.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term opioid therapyINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERNew diagnostic entityDiagnostic entityOpioid therapySubset of patientsOpioid use disorderClassification of patientsInternal Review BoardChronic painOutweigh harmsClinical guidancePossible diagnostic criteriaDiagnostic criteriaUse disordersPatientsDelphi studyVeterans AffairsReview boardTherapyClinical phenomenaArt ConferenceThird roundDelphi techniqueParticipantsProfiles of Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors and their Associations with Alcohol Use and Regular Smoking in Black Adults
Sartor CE, Black AC. Profiles of Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors and their Associations with Alcohol Use and Regular Smoking in Black Adults. Journal Of Racial And Ethnic Health Disparities 2020, 8: 60-68. PMID: 32440916, PMCID: PMC7679281, DOI: 10.1007/s40615-020-00754-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRegular smokingAlcohol useBlack adultsProtective factorsPsychosocial risksRegular smoking prevalenceCurrent alcohol useFrequent alcohol useSmoking prevalenceIntroductionThis studySmokingAdverse experiencesRegression analysisAdultsPrevalenceSocial supportNeighborhood factorsRiskDifferential associationsClass 1Representative studySubgroupsAbsence of supportAssociationAdversityImpulsivity interacts with momentary PTSD symptom worsening to predict alcohol use in male veterans
Black AC, Cooney NL, Sartor CE, Arias AJ, Rosen MI. Impulsivity interacts with momentary PTSD symptom worsening to predict alcohol use in male veterans. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2018, 44: 524-531. PMID: 29641264, PMCID: PMC6172135, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2018.1454935.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPast-month PTSD symptomsPosttraumatic stress disorderPTSD symptom changeAlcohol usePTSD symptomsNumber of drinksSubstance useSymptom changeMomentary assessmentUnique temporal relationshipRisky alcohol useAcute increaseMale veteransLast assessmentTrait impulsivitySymptomsStress disorderProblem alcoholEcological momentary assessmentClinical samplesTemporal associationBarratt Impulsiveness ScaleVeteransAssociationTemporal relationshipTrauma treatment for veterans in buprenorphine maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder
Meshberg-Cohen S, Black AC, DeViva JC, Petrakis IL, Rosen MI. Trauma treatment for veterans in buprenorphine maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder. Addictive Behaviors 2018, 89: 29-34. PMID: 30243036, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine maintenanceChart reviewBuprenorphine treatmentTrauma treatmentPTSD diagnosisReference groupRetrospective chart reviewBuprenorphine maintenance treatmentOpioid use disorderFuture clinical trialsLogistic regression analysisEvidence-based psychotherapiesTimes greater oddsTrauma-focused treatmentBuprenorphine retentionOpioid typeOUD treatmentMaintenance treatmentWorse outcomesClinical trialsConsecutive referralsGreater oddsUse disordersComorbid PTSDDisorder ratesVeterans’ compensation claims beliefs predict timing of PTSD treatment use relative to compensation and pension exam
Black AC, Meshberg-Cohen S, Perez-Ortiz AC, Thornhill TA, Rosen MI. Veterans’ compensation claims beliefs predict timing of PTSD treatment use relative to compensation and pension exam. PLOS ONE 2018, 13: e0209488. PMID: 30589882, PMCID: PMC6307722, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209488.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health treatment useTreatment useMental health treatmentExamination statusPTSD treatmentTreatment benefitVeterans' useHealth treatmentEffective PTSD treatmentPTSD treatment engagementElectronic health recordsClinical trialsTreatment engagementBaseline assessmentCompensation examinationsHealth recordsPension examinationsVeterans' beliefsTreatmentVeteransBeliefs ScalePTSDDisability-related benefitsExaminationStatusMomentary assessment of PTSD symptoms and sexual risk behavior in male OEF/OIF/OND Veterans
Black AC, Cooney NL, Justice AC, Fiellin LE, Pietrzak RH, Lazar CM, Rosen MI. Momentary assessment of PTSD symptoms and sexual risk behavior in male OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2015, 190: 424-428. PMID: 26551400, PMCID: PMC4684959, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.10.039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual risk behaviorsPost-traumatic stress disorderRisk behaviorsPTSD symptomsSubstance useEcological momentary assessmentSymptom variabilitySymptom severityFocused clinical interventionsHigh-risk sexual behaviorDaily PTSD symptomsMultiple sexual partnersOEF/OIF/OND veteransSurvey completion ratePTSD measurementMomentary assessmentInitial development of patient-reported instrument assessing harm, efficacy, and misuse of long-term opioid therapy
Becker WC, Fiellin DA, Black AC, Kostovich CT, Kerns RD, Fraenkel L. Initial development of patient-reported instrument assessing harm, efficacy, and misuse of long-term opioid therapy. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 127-136. PMID: 27006339, PMCID: PMC4806533, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.11.0285.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioid therapyPatient-reported instrumentOpioid therapyFurther item reductionIneffective medicationsClinical outcomesPrimary careFrequent reassessmentPatient comprehensionItem reductionGold standardEfficacyTherapyInterdisciplinary teamLevel checksCognitive interviewsMisuseHarmMedicationsPatientsA money management-based substance use treatment increases valuation of future rewards
Black AC, Rosen MI. A money management-based substance use treatment increases valuation of future rewards. Addictive Behaviors 2010, 36: 125-128. PMID: 20826055, PMCID: PMC2981645, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.08.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term opioid therapy trajectories and overdose in patients with and without cancer.
Merlin J, Black A, Midboe A, Troszak L, Asch S, Bohnert A, Fenton B, Giannitrapani K, Glassman P, Kerns R, Silveira M, Lorenz K, Abel E, Becker W. Long-term opioid therapy trajectories and overdose in patients with and without cancer. BMJ Oncology 2023, 2: e000023. PMID: 38259328, PMCID: PMC10802123, DOI: 10.1136/bmjonc-2022-000023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term opioid therapyVeterans Health Administration databaseRetrospective cohort studyCornerstone of managementOpioid overdose riskHealth Administration databaseOpioid-related overdosesPresence of cancerRole of cancerOpioid receiptOpioid therapyCohort studyConclusions PatientsMost patientsObjective painOpioid risksDose/Opioid overdoseOverdose riskInternational ClassificationLower riskPatientsEffect of trajectoriesCancerAdministration databaseFinancial Capability: Clinicians' Assessment of Beneficiaries With Dual Diagnoses
Thornhill T, Black AC, Rosen MI. Financial Capability: Clinicians' Assessment of Beneficiaries With Dual Diagnoses. Journal Of Dual Diagnosis 2018, 14: 130-136. PMID: 29505348, PMCID: PMC6291373, DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2018.1436732.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
T50 Receipt of Prescribed Opioids and Benzodiazepines After Non-Fatal Overdose and Risk of Subsequent Overdose
Howell B, Black A, Lin H, Lauretta G, Heimer R, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin D, Becker W. T50 Receipt of Prescribed Opioids and Benzodiazepines After Non-Fatal Overdose and Risk of Subsequent Overdose. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110499. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110499.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose.
Kazemitabar M, Howell B, Becker W, Lin H, Grau L, Heimer R, D'Onofrio G, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Black A. Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs 2024 PMID: 38775307, DOI: 10.15288/jsad.24-00026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrescribed opioidsOpioid dose changesRapid dose increaseNon-HispanicOverdose deathsToxicological resultsNon-prescription opioidsBlack non-HispanicMorphine equivalentsOpioid therapyWhite non-HispanicDose changesDaily doseMean ageDispensed opioidsPrescription opioidsPrescribing patternsOpioidDose increaseOpioid overdose crisisIncreasing dosesStudy investigated patternsEffect of timeEffects of ageSecondary analysisPain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article.
Black A, Edmond S, Frank J, Abelleira A, Snow J, Wesolowicz D, Becker W. Pain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article. Substance Use & Addiction Journal 2024, 29767342241236032. PMID: 38469833, DOI: 10.1177/29767342241236032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrimary care providersVeterans Health AdministrationPromote self-management strategiesImplementation facilitation strategyEffectiveness-implementation trialChronic painSelf-management strategiesGuideline-concordant practicesMedication management supportOpioid medication safetyIntervention cost-effectivenessOutcomes of alcohol useLong-term opioid therapyManagement of chronic painCognitive behavioral therapy techniquesNational Institutes of HealthPain carePain interferenceCare providersMedication safetyHealthcare providersInstitutes of HealthSelf-managementAddiction Long-termHealth AdministrationLong-term opioid therapy trajectories in veteran patients with and without substance use disorder
Axson S, Becker W, Merlin J, Lorenz K, Midboe A, C Black A. Long-term opioid therapy trajectories in veteran patients with and without substance use disorder. Addictive Behaviors 2024, 153: 107997. PMID: 38442438, PMCID: PMC11080947, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107997.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMilitary sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma
Webermann A, Gianoli M, Rosen M, Portnoy G, Runels T, Black A. Military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0280708. PMID: 38206995, PMCID: PMC10783784, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaSexual traumaBlack veteransVeterans Benefits AdministrationVeterans' claimsPosttraumatic stress disorderBenefits administrationWomen veteransWhite veteransSystemic barriersService-connectedStress disorderMen veteransCharacteristics of claimantsStressor typeGenderCombat traumaClaimsRaceArmy veteransDenialEffect sizeUnderserved backgroundsVeteransHigher odds