ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE INTEGRATION FOR OVERDOSE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The overdose epidemic of opioids and polysubstances requires rapid, aligned interventions that extend more than emergency stabilization.  The study examines the effectiveness of holistic paradigm comprising of addiction psychiatry and emergency medicine in reducing the effects of overdose.  These included 200 patients who were admitted with an overdose. They were randomly assigned to a standard emergency care or to an integrated intervention group that received psychiatric assistance, medical-based treatment (MAT) and motivation interviewing.  We performed logistic and survival-based models to examine quantitative outcome variables such as ED recidivism, initiation of detoxification treatment, and all-cause mortality within 90 days.  The findings indicated that the integrated group remained in the therapy significantly and spent a lot less time in the emergency department (p < 0.01) and passing away as compared to the non-integrated group.  Interviews with patients were conducted to reveal that integration reduced stigma and led to greater trust in doctors, as well as it became easier to patiently shift between the types of care the patient required.  Thematic analysis revealed such significant segments as empathetic interaction, rapid therapeutic relationship and a feeling of individual value.  This work that involved qualitative and quantitative research demonstrates the necessity of possessing a two-stream clinical process that assists both in medical stabilization and a beginning to behavioral improvement.  The findings indicate the redesigning of the systems by incorporating mental care in the emergency overdose protocol to ensure the individuals at high risk of recurrence and mortality receive better long-term outcomes.