District 10 Recap - December 7, 2018

POMA District 10 gathered on Friday, December 7, 2018, for their monthly event at the Capital Grille, in King of Prussia, PA. The group enjoyed a lecture about Effective Clinical Utilization in Opioid and Alcohol Dependence by Christopher Davis, DO.

Important points to remember from the presentation:

-In addiction, the reward pathway is overstimulated, essentially hijacking the prefrontal cortex

-Vivitrol has best results if the patient has abstained from alcohol for a full 7 days prior

-It should not be used in anyone who is on an opiate analgesic, as this would precipitate withdrawal

-It should not be given to anyone in active opiate withdrawal

-The patient should be abstinent from opiates for 7-10 days prior to starting Vivitrol

-It is an IM injection, given in the gluteus muscle

-If the patient is in need of analgesics: NSAIDs, lidocaine, Novocain, and anesthesia would still be effective

Future meetings:

January 25, 2019: Blue Bell Inn

March 29, 2019: Blue Bell Inn