Below are links to the MANY articles on this website about SUBSTANCE-RELATED AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS. , which is the title of the relevant chapter in the DSM-5-TR®.
All the other MAIN MENUS on this website can be found by clicking HERE, or on *MENUS* at the top of any page on this website.
To use this Menu, please click on the category (or the arrow to the left of its name) to EXPAND the category and see what is included in it.
When you are done, click the category (or the arrow to its left) to COLLAPSE it.
Urine drug screen
Which urine drug screen (UDS) should we order?
Which urine drug screen do most workplaces require?
For how long are substances detected in a urine drug screen (UDS)?
False-positive urine drug screen: Principles and a table for reference
Opioids in the urine drug screen
Will zolpidem be detected on a standard urine drug screen?
“Fingerprint” metabolites that uniquely identify substances in a urine drug screen
Alcohol
Alcohol use—Basic facts
Three key statistics about alcohol use: Bad, worse, and worst news
What is a “standard” drink?
How much alcohol intake is “normal”?
Alcohol, not marijuana, is the real gateway drug
Alcohol use—Screening
How to screen for alcohol use disorder
AUDIT-C: A practical guide
Let’s stop using the CAGE questionnaire
Real-life examples: How to identify recent alcohol use in urine and blood tests
Why, who, and how to monitor for increased alcohol use after bariatric surgery
Alcohol withdrawal
Understanding the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for alcohol withdrawal
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar)
Which benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepine regimens
How exactly to prescribe thiamine for the prevention of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Non-Alcoholic or Alcohol-Free Beer
What are “non-alcoholic,” “alcohol-free,” “low alcohol,” and “reduced alcohol” beverages?
Non-alcoholic or alcohol-free beer in patients with past alcohol use disorder?
Is non-alcoholic beer safe in patients on monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors?
Will non-alcoholic beer show up in breath or urine tests?
Where to find/ buy non-alcoholic or alcohol-free beer
Alcohol use disorder—Treatment
APA Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder
How exactly to prescribe thiamine for the prevention of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Tips on using naltrexone for alcohol use disorder
How high can we go with naltrexone for alcohol use disorder?
Tips on using naltrexone extended-release injectable (Vivitrol®)
How to order, store, and administer naltrexone extended-release injection (Vivitrol®)
Find a Vivitrol® prescriber
Could extended-release naltrexone injection work for alcohol use disorder even if oral naltrexone did not?
Naltrexone (Revia®, Vivitrol®): Basic information
Tips on using acamprosate (Campral®) for alcohol use disorder
Disulfiram: A shortcut to sobriety?
How to use disulfiram to help with alcoholism
Caffeine
Caffeine and mental health
How much caffeine is too much?
Key things clinicians should know about caffeine withdrawal
Minimizing caffeine may be helpful in bipolar disorder
Caffeine can significantly change serum clozapine levels
Interactions that can significantly affect caffeine metabolism
Should those with migraine not consume caffeine?
Caffeine content of coffee and tea
Should we recommend decaffeinated coffee?
Caffeine content of soft drinks
Caffeine content of “energy” drinks
Drug interactions with caffeine
Caffeine can significantly change serum clozapine levels
Let’s wake up to how much caffeine our patients are taking
Cannabis
Cannabis—General articles
Cannabis (“Marijuana”): Terminology
Acute effects of cannabis that we should warn patients about
Why and how to routinely ask and counsel patients about driving after cannabis use
Cannabis or cannabinoids for PTSD?
Cannabis or cannabinoids for dementia?
Only the minimum about cannabigerol (CBG)
Cannabis—Drug interactions
Which psychotropic medications does cannabis affect?
Cannabidiol (CBD): Drug interactions
Pharmacokinetics of cannabis or cannabinoids
Cannabidiol (CBD)
What is cannabidiol (CBD)?
What is the dose of cannabidiol (CBD) for anxiety disorders?
Cannabidiol (CBD): Clinical experience
Cannabidiol for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders? An overview
What did randomized, double-blind clinical trials of cannabidiol in schizophrenia find?
What side effects can cannabidiol (CBD) cause in our patients?
Cannabidiol (CBD): Drug interactions
Cannabis use disorder
Which medications work for cannabis use disorder?
Tips for managing the abuse potential of medications for ADHD
Does lisdexamfetamine really have lower abuse potential?
Key facts about ADHD and cannabis use (and their practical implications)
How should ADHD be treated when cannabis use is also present?
Stimulants for ADHD with a history of a substance use disorder?
Should stimulant medications be avoided in ADHD patients who use cannabis?
Cannabis withdrawal
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
Hypnotics
Kratom
Opioids
Opioid use disorder
Opioid use disorder is a VERY serious condition
Clinical pearls on prescribing buprenorphine (Suboxone®)
Clinical pearls about prescribing buprenorphine: Part Two
Buprenorphine (Subutex®, Suboxone®)
Buprenorphine extended-release injection (Sublocade®)
Opioids in the urine drug screen
Tips for our opioid-dependent patients
Naltrexone (Revia®, Vivitrol®): Basic information
Tips on using naltrexone extended-release injectable (Vivitrol®)
Naltrexone extended-release injection (Vivitrol®): The how to
Fentanyl
Why we MUST know about fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
Fentanyl analogs and why they are so important
An overview of fentanyl opioid use disorder (addiction)
Special points in the management of fentanyl opioid use disorder (addiction)
Special tests are needed to identify fentanyl in the urine
Special issues in using naloxone for overdoses involving fentanyl
Miscellaneous
Loperamide abuse: Tips for mental health clinicians
NeuroStim System-2 (NSS-2) BRIDGE
Psychedelics
Considerable beneficial effects are reported by psilocybin users
What side effects can occur with psilocybin
Is psilocybin addictive?
Can psilocybin lead to suicide or other self-harm?
What we need to know about hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)
Can psychedelics cause serotonin toxicity (syndrome)?
Can a psychedelic be taken along with lithium?
Stimulants
Prescription stimulant medications
Eight tips for reducing the risk of abuse/diversion of stimulants
Does lisdexamfetamine really have lower abuse potential?
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine use: What, Who, How, and Why
What harms can result from methamphetamine use?
Three scenarios in which psychosis can occur in a methamphetamine user
How to treat methamphetamine use disorder
Other stimulants
What is khat, and why is it important in mental health?
Tobacco/ Nicotine
Tobacco/ Nicotine—General Articles
Are you evaluating and treating tobacco use disorder in your patients?
High-yield tips for evaluating patients who use tobacco
A simple questionnaire to help guide tobacco cessation treatment
A practical guide to the management of tobacco use disorder
Smoking and psychotropic medications
A primer on tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
A practical guide to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
How exactly should nicotine patches be used?
How exactly should nicotine gum be used?
How exactly should nicotine lozenges be used?
How exactly should nicotine oral inhalers be used?
How exactly should nicotine nasal spray be used?
Don’t miss nicotine as a cause of the increase in pulse rate or blood pressure
Monitor pulse rate and blood pressure when bupropion and nicotine are combined
Varenicline
Are varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion safe for smoking cessation in persons with mental disorders?
Varenicline (Chantix®): Basic Information
A practical guide to using varenicline (Chantix®) for tobacco (smoking) cessation
What are the potential side effects of varenicline (Chantix®)?
Clarification about the potential neuropsychiatric side effects of varenicline (Chantix®)
Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes)
What are electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)?
Do electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) work for smoking cessation?
What “authorities” say about e-cigarettes for tobacco use disorder
Finding treatment for addictions
How to find a certified addiction psychiatrist
How to find treatment facilities for substance use disorders (addiction)
SAMHSA National Helpline (Treatment Referral Routing Service)
How to choose a rehab
Private facilities for the treatment of substance use disorders
Substance use and Bipolar disorders
How common is the comorbidity of bipolar disorders and substance use disorders?
Bipolar disorder or substance use? Tips on resolving the diagnostic confusion
Tips on treating patients with BOTH a bipolar disorder AND a substance use disorder
Substance use—Miscellaneous articles
Tips on dealing with “slips” in recovery
Never crave alone
What happened to polysubstance dependence?
Practice guidelines for substance-related and addictive disorders
How to learn addiction psychiatry
Copyright © 2025 to 2025, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. The content on this website may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
Disclaimer: The material on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended for patients or other laypersons, nor is it a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most up-to-date information.