Maryland Addiction Consultation Service

03/06/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Research suggests that individuals living with SUD are nearly four to eight times more likely to experience PTSD than the general population. This co-occurrence often stems from complex factors like self-medication, shared biological vulnerabilities, and the potential for substance use itself to lead to trauma.

MACS is committed to furthering trauma-informed practices. For support in caring for patients with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders, explore how our resources — including our Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective ECHO Sessions — can enhance your ability to provide sensitive and comprehensive care.

Providers can schedule an individualized consultation or register for an upcoming training with the MACS team of addiction medicine specialists by calling 1-855-337-MACS (6227), emailing [email protected] or visiting www.marylandmacs.org.

02/06/2026

You still have time to register for our upcoming OTP ECHO session!

Register for our OTP ECHO session happening tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Our presenter, Dr. Sarah Merritt, will cover “Pain Management in Patients With Substance Use Disorders.”

To join our learning community designed specifically for providers in OTP settings, register here: https://www.marylandmacs.org/echo.

01/06/2026

A new secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial co-authored by MACS Consultant Christopher Welsh, MD, and published in JAMA Network Open examines whether bedside patient navigation — delivered alongside hospital addiction consultation services — can reduce patient-directed discharge (PDD) among hospitalized patients with comorbid substance use disorder (SUD).

➡️ Swipe to see the findings on how patient navigation compares to addiction consultation alone and what it means for keeping patients engaged in their hospital care.

🔗 Read the full research letter: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2849007.

Healthcare providers, including those in emergency and hospital settings, can access support in caring for patients with substance use disorders and chronic pain. Call 1-855-337-MACS (6227), email [email protected], or visit www.marylandmacs.org to schedule an individualized consultation or register for an upcoming training.

29/05/2026

This , we are sharing a new resource: "Tele-MOUD Implementation Guide."

The new fact sheet provides a high-level overview of tele-Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (tele-MOUD) implementation. Evidence supports tele-MOUD in improving retention and reducing overdose risk, and this guide is designed to help providers, clinics and community partners adopt and scale these services.

Check out the fact sheet: https://bit.ly/TeleMOUD.

You can also watch the recent webinar, "The Role of Telemedicine in Expanding Access to MOUD," presented by MACS Medical Director and Consultant Eric Weintraub, MD: https://bit.ly/0420MACSWebinar.

To have your clinical questions answered by our team of addiction medicine specialists or to register for an upcoming training opportunity, call 1-855-337-MACS (6227), email [email protected] or visit www.marylandmacs.org.

28/05/2026

MACS ECHO sessions for June are almost here!

Join us for our OTP ECHO session on Wednesday, June 3. Our presenter, Dr. Sarah Merritt, will address the topic of “Pain Management in Patients With Substance Use Disorders.”

To register for our learning community designed specifically for providers in OTP settings, visit: https://www.marylandmacs.org/echo.

27/05/2026

On Monday, June 22, join our special guest presenter Jordan Nahas-Vigon, MD, for a free, live virtual CME webinar: "Medetomidine Intoxication and Withdrawal."

Dr. Nahas-Vigon will walk attendees through what medetomidine is, how to recognize medetomidine intoxication and withdrawal, as well as how to treat medetomidine withdrawal.

Register here: https://macs.oasis-lms.com/URL/0622_Social.

We hope you can join us!

27/05/2026

Maryland opioid overdose deaths have reached a 10-year low, a meaningful milestone in a crisis that has affected countless families across our state. We're grateful to Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for highlighting the impact of evidence-based strategies and strong partnerships — and we remain committed to supporting Maryland providers as this critical work continues.

Opioid-related overdose deaths in Maryland have decreased by 57% since spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic, falling from more than 2,500 opioid-related-overdose deaths then to just under 1,100 in 2025, a Capital News Service analysis found.

26/05/2026

Our Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective ECHO session is happening tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

Our presenter, Dr. Max Spaderna, will address the topic of “Trauma and Su***de Risk in Opioid Use Disorder.” Join the session to connect with peers dedicated to providing trauma-informed MOUD care.

To register, visit the link here: https://www.marylandmacs.org/echo.

22/05/2026

You still have time to register for an upcoming live, virtual CME training from MACS for MOMS.

Join Katrina Mark, MD, FACOG, FASAM at noon on Thursday, May 28, as she hosts "Acute Management of Withdrawal in Pregnancy."

Dr. Mark will review the signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal in pregnancy, explore pregnancy-specific risks and concerns, and discuss the treatment options available to providers.

Register for the training: https://macs.oasis-lms.com/URL/0528_Social.

21/05/2026

On Thursday, June 11, join us for a free, live virtual webinar: "Experience to Impact: Peer Recovery ECHO Introduction."

Our presenters — Devang Gandhi, MD, MACS Consultant; Brendan Welsh, Director of the Behavioral Health Administration Office of Consumer Affairs; and Qivon Annan, MACS ECHO Program Coordinator — will walk attendees through the ECHO model and how it supports SUD treatment and recovery services, the role of peer recovery specialists within an ECHO community, and confidentiality and ethical considerations when engaging in ECHO sessions.

Register here: https://macs.oasis-lms.com/URL/0611_Social.

We hope you can join us!