Substance Use Disorders and Interprofessional Management in the Pre and Post Liver Transplant Settings

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are rising in the general population and also in the transplant population. Alcohol use disorder leading to alcohol-associated liver disease is the most common of all SUDs in the liver transplantation setting. Uncontrolled SUDs and relapse after transplant can lead to graft loss and mortality, as well as reduce quality of life and patient functioning. SUDs can be treated effectively through integrated, interprofessional management by addiction and medical/surgical professional members of the transplant team. Teams should be aware of pitfalls in interprofessional teamwork and communication so that corrective steps could be implemented for improved efficiency.