ASAM Practice Pearls - Individualizing Buprenorphine: Low-dose Induction to Long-acting Injectables

Individualizing Buprenorphine: Low-dose Induction to Long-acting Injectables

Published: July 13, 2026 
Podcast Series

Overview

In this episode of ASAM Practice Pearls, Dr. Stephen Taylor hosts Dr. Stephen Holt in a discussion about practical strategies for initiating and managing patients receiving low-dose buprenorphine and long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations. The conversation explores how to match induction approaches to individual patient needs, guidance on dosing, and ways to support ongoing use, cravings, or withdrawal symptoms. This episode offers listeners practical insights for implementing buprenorphine treatment strategies and expanding access to evidence-based care.

The target audience for these comprehensive level episodes includes all medication prescribers and care team members.

This session addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care and Procedural Skills, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, and Medical Knowledge.

Learning Objectives

These are the learning objectives for season 2. Not all learning objectives will be covered in every episode. 

1. Explain emerging evidence and clinical considerations for different substances to enhance assessment and support safe, effective treatment planning for individuals with substance use disorders. 
2. Apply up-to-date, evidence-based, and patient-centered strategies and guidance to enhance patient engagement, promote safety, and improve outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders across various healthcare settings. 
3. Recognize how structural, social, and cultural factors influence substance use, treatment access, and patient–clinician interactions, and implement strategies to enhance equity and deliver culturally responsive, inclusive addiction care. 

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered health advice.

• We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
• This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
• The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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Membership Question?  Call ASAM at 1.301.656.3920, email us, or view the ASAM website for more information.

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Registration Open: 02/09/2026 - 02/09/2029

Close Access Date: 02/09/2029 

Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity.
2. Listen to the podcast and review the show notes.
3. Click Acknowledgement, then the button Read Terms to attest that you have listened to the podcast episode in its entirety and have reviewed the show notes.
4. Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
5. Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM eLearning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.

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Accreditation & Credits

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credits Available

• Physicians: .5 Credit
• Nurses & NPs: .5 Nursing Contact Hour
• Pharmacology Hour(s): .25 Hour
• PAs: .5 Credit
• Interprofessional Continuing Education: .5 Credit
• Certified Counselors: NBCC Contact Hours not offered
  
  American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
• NAADAC: CE Credits not offered

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)/Continuing Certification Program (CCP)

This activity is not designated for MOC/CCP points.

Certificates for other professions

All participants may request a certificate of participation upon completion of the activity and an online evaluation confirming their participation. Learners are strongly advised to contact their professional licensing board or professional association to confirm this certificate will be accepted as evidence supporting continuing education requirements.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.

The complete list of disclosures and designation statements are linked below.