Inside the battle for the future of addiction medicine

Published: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 3:10 pm

A New Orleans-based addiction medicine doctor, Elyse Stevens, is facing scrutiny for her unconventional approach to treating patients with substance use disorders. Stevens, known for taking on complex cases often involving those with chronic pain, homelessness, and co-occurring conditions, prioritized a flexible, patient-centered approach. This included prescribing pain medication and other controlled substances, along with buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, while focusing on patient goals beyond complete abstinence.

In the summer of 2024, Stevens' practices came under review by her supervisors at University Medical Center New Orleans. Concerns were raised regarding her prescribing patterns, including the combination of medications and the frequency of urine drug tests. Supervisors encouraged her to refer more patients to intensive care programs, citing the local standard of care. Stevens defended her approach, citing research supporting flexible practices and emphasizing the challenges her patients faced, such as homelessness.

Despite her defense, Stevens was told to stop working in March. Her patients were transferred to other providers, some of whom experienced withdrawal symptoms. A review committee later determined her practices constituted reckless behavior, leading to her resignation and an investigation by the state medical licensing board. The board's investigation is ongoing.

Stevens' case highlights the ongoing debate within addiction medicine. While some doctors favor traditional approaches with strict consequences, others advocate for harm reduction and flexible care. The controversy underscores the complexities of treating addiction and the challenges of balancing patient needs with medical standards and liability concerns.

BNN's Perspective: This case underscores the need for a balanced approach to addiction treatment. While patient safety is paramount, rigid adherence to traditional methods may not always be effective. A nuanced approach that considers individual patient circumstances and promotes harm reduction, while maintaining accountability, is crucial.

Keywords: addiction medicine, substance use disorder, prescribing practices, harm reduction, patient care, buprenorphine, opioid addiction, medical licensing board, flexible approach, unconventional treatment.

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