Getting treatment for an opioid use disorder will hopefully in turn reduce the number of overdoses and deaths related to opioid use.
Despite increased public awareness about the dangers of opioids, the epidemic continues in the US. What can we do to counter this deadly trend?
The numbers are striking.
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
Harm reduction is an approach to addiction treatment that offers an alternative to abstinence-based programs. Harm reduction operates on the idea that lives can be improved and perhaps saved by substituting a less-harmful substance for one that is more dangerous to the substance user and those around them.
With no lethal dose, and a variety of pain-relieving and possibly euphoric properties, cannabis can be a valuable harm reduction tool for those struggling with alcohol and drug dependencies. Learn more about the history, benefits and drawbacks of a harm reduction approach to addiction that views cannabis as a gateway to improved quality of life.
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
April 3, 2017
The current opiate epidemic has spurred long-overdue scrutiny on the pharmaceutical production and distribution of opiate medication, but it also raises questions of public policy and law regarding the regulation of medical access to and use of opiate medications with high potential for addiction. Expert panelists will address the challenges that arise from efforts to balance restrictions on access to opiates to limit addiction while also preserving sufficient access for legitimate medical management of pain.
Learn more on our website: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/opiate-regulation-policies
Harm reduction is an approach to addiction treatment that offers an alternative to abstinence-based programs. Harm reduction operates on the idea that lives can be improved and perhaps saved by substituting a less-harmful substance for one that is more dangerous to the substance user and those around them.
With no lethal dose, and a variety of pain-relieving and possibly euphoric properties, cannabis can be a valuable harm reduction tool for those struggling with alcohol and drug dependencies. Learn more about the history, benefits and drawbacks of a harm reduction approach to addiction that views cannabis as a gateway to improved quality of life.
Antonio Boone of the Office of HIV Planning reviewed major points from the Mayor's Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia at the June 12, 2017 Positive Committee meeting.
The abuse of prescription painkillers and illicit opioids has become a public health concern in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 1,000 Americans are given treatment in emergency departments every day for misusing prescription opioids.
Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keynote presentation at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit on March 30, 2016.
Opioid Addiction: New Approach Gives Hope to Patients Awaiting TreatmentSov Addiction Rehab
Amid the growing opioid crisis in the United States, the capacity of available treatment programs is falling short of demand. As a result, people needing treatment for dependency on heroin or prescription painkillers have to wait for months, sometimes even years, to get appointments with certified doctors or to find slots in rehabilitation programs.
Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependence on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin or amphetamines.
Global Medical Cures™ | Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse CrisisGlobal Medical Cures™
Global Medical Cures™ | Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis
DISCLAIMER-
Global Medical Cures™ does not offer any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations. Only your healthcare provider/physician can offer you information and recommendations for you to decide about your healthcare choices.
Sound familiar? Could be your angry son or daughter. Could be a teen, an adult, an addicted loved one. Whoever is spewing, it leaves you feeling like you drank poison and then took a stomach punch from Mike Tyson.
Where your md meets my jd when the doctor says yes but the treatment team say...Mrsunny4
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and several published studies1, 80 percent of heroin users reported using prescription opioids prior to heroin.
Living beyond the downside of sex and sexual expressionMrsunny4
Sex and sexuality have become more prevalent throughout our global community. Obtaining sexually related products, images, and information have become readily available for anyone, of any age, to obtain with an internet access. Undoubtedly the consequence of such materials being readily available has had a positive and negative effect upon our society.
Deadly adulterants new dangers of illicit drugsMrsunny4
The “cutting” or “adulteration” of street drugs is common practice in the manufacturing, distribution and selling of illicit drugs, all in the name of increased profit.
Why do we want to change how we feel about ourselves? Are our feelings pleasant or unpleasant? If our feelings are unpleasant, we drink, eat or take a pill to change them.
Danger zone teen substance use and treatmentMrsunny4
Of summer, poet Darcy Cummings wrote of a “child leaving a walled school for the first time, stumbling from cool hallways to a world dense with scent and sound”.
Hey grandma, can i live with you grandparents and the opioid epidemicMrsunny4
The other day I received a phone call from Helen. She and her husband Rick were beside themselves after learning their daughter, a 42-year-old PhD student, had relapsed into drug addiction. The couple, in their late-sixties, were not only charged with finding help again for their struggling daughter,
Dont be afraid to say the s word talking to kids about suicideMrsunny4
Through my work as Clinical Director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, I frequently get asked by parents,” How do I talk to my child about suicide?
I define happiness as a feeling of contentment and peace about oneself. It’s the emotional response that the world is okay, there are better days ahead, and there’s room for possibility.
Anxiety, worry, stress, concern, apprehension, nervousness. It doesn’t matter what name you give it. It’s a horrible feeling. Anxiety comes when our minds focus on something in the future that feels like a threat.
For many parents, a child’s return to school may be met with a bag of mixed emotions, reservations and hesitations. They may have concerns about the potential of peer pressure, discrimination, school violence and exposure to various legal and illegal substances.
Relapse in most cases is not self-inflicted. Relapse-prone patients experience a gradual progression of symptoms that create so much pain that they become unable to function in sobriety.
When addiction crept into my household 11 years ago, I retreated to a journal. The clean, white pages offered me refuge to pour out my anguish, fear, confusion, and shame. It was a safe place to unveil my secret.
Our evolved unique feel good circuits makes humans different from apesMrsunny4
The brain regions circuitry tied to pleasure are difficult toaccurately describe, partly, because of many different ways we can trigger enjoyment or “Feel Good.”
The word “trauma” originated in the late 17th century from the Greek language. The literal translation is to “wound or damage.” The Greek word was specific to physical injury and has been used in medical terminology since.
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease, much like an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many cases, the gambling addiction is hidden until the gambler becomes unable to function without gambling, and he or she begins to exclude all other activities from their lives.
How many patients does case series should have In comparison to case reports.pdfpubrica101
Pubrica’s team of researchers and writers create scientific and medical research articles, which may be important resources for authors and practitioners. Pubrica medical writers assist you in creating and revising the introduction by alerting the reader to gaps in the chosen study subject. Our professionals understand the order in which the hypothesis topic is followed by the broad subject, the issue, and the backdrop.
https://pubrica.com/academy/case-study-or-series/how-many-patients-does-case-series-should-have-in-comparison-to-case-reports/
Empowering ACOs: Leveraging Quality Management Tools for MIPS and BeyondHealth Catalyst
Join us as we delve into the crucial realm of quality reporting for MSSP (Medicare Shared Savings Program) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
In this session, we will explore how a robust quality management solution can empower your organization to meet regulatory requirements and improve processes for MIPS reporting and internal quality programs. Learn how our MeasureAble application enables compliance and fosters continuous improvement.
Medical Technology Tackles New Health Care Demand - Research Report - March 2...pchutichetpong
M Capital Group (“MCG”) predicts that with, against, despite, and even without the global pandemic, the medical technology (MedTech) industry shows signs of continuous healthy growth, driven by smaller, faster, and cheaper devices, growing demand for home-based applications, technological innovation, strategic acquisitions, investments, and SPAC listings. MCG predicts that this should reflects itself in annual growth of over 6%, well beyond 2028.
According to Chris Mouchabhani, Managing Partner at M Capital Group, “Despite all economic scenarios that one may consider, beyond overall economic shocks, medical technology should remain one of the most promising and robust sectors over the short to medium term and well beyond 2028.”
There is a movement towards home-based care for the elderly, next generation scanning and MRI devices, wearable technology, artificial intelligence incorporation, and online connectivity. Experts also see a focus on predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine, with rising levels of integration of home care and technological innovation.
The average cost of treatment has been rising across the board, creating additional financial burdens to governments, healthcare providers and insurance companies. According to MCG, cost-per-inpatient-stay in the United States alone rose on average annually by over 13% between 2014 to 2021, leading MedTech to focus research efforts on optimized medical equipment at lower price points, whilst emphasizing portability and ease of use. Namely, 46% of the 1,008 medical technology companies in the 2021 MedTech Innovator (“MTI”) database are focusing on prevention, wellness, detection, or diagnosis, signaling a clear push for preventive care to also tackle costs.
In addition, there has also been a lasting impact on consumer and medical demand for home care, supported by the pandemic. Lockdowns, closure of care facilities, and healthcare systems subjected to capacity pressure, accelerated demand away from traditional inpatient care. Now, outpatient care solutions are driving industry production, with nearly 70% of recent diagnostics start-up companies producing products in areas such as ambulatory clinics, at-home care, and self-administered diagnostics.
Health Education on prevention of hypertensionRadhika kulvi
Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the causation of coronary heart diseases. Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic and important risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke and renal diseases. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels and is sufficient to maintain tissue perfusion during activity and rest. Hypertension is sustained elevation of BP. In adults, HTN exists when systolic blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140mmHg or diastolic BP is equal to or greater than 90mmHg. The
Navigating Challenges: Mental Health, Legislation, and the Prison System in B...Guillermo Rivera
This conference will delve into the intricate intersections between mental health, legal frameworks, and the prison system in Bolivia. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges faced by mental health professionals working within the legislative and correctional landscapes. Topics of discussion will include the prevalence and impact of mental health issues among the incarcerated population, the effectiveness of existing mental health policies and legislation, and potential reforms to enhance the mental health support system within prisons.
Defecation
Normal defecation begins with movement in the left colon, moving stool toward the anus. When stool reaches the rectum, the distention causes relaxation of the internal sphincter and an awareness of the need to defecate. At the time of defecation, the external sphincter relaxes, and abdominal muscles contract, increasing intrarectal pressure and forcing the stool out
The Valsalva maneuver exerts pressure to expel faeces through a voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscles while maintaining forced expiration against a closed airway. Patients with cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, increased intracranial pressure, or a new surgical wound are at greater risk for cardiac dysrhythmias and elevated blood pressure with the Valsalva maneuver and need to avoid straining to pass the stool.
Normal defecation is painless, resulting in passage of soft, formed stool
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Improper diet, reduced fluid intake, lack of exercise, and certain medications can cause constipation. For example, patients receiving opiates for pain after surgery often require a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation. The signs of constipation include infrequent bowel movements (less than every 3 days), difficulty passing stools, excessive straining, inability to defecate at will, and hard feaces
IMPACTION
Fecal impaction results from unrelieved constipation. It is a collection of hardened feces wedged in the rectum that a person cannot expel. In cases of severe impaction the mass extends up into the sigmoid colon.
DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is an increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces. It is associated with disorders affecting digestion, absorption, and secretion in the GI tract. Intestinal contents pass through the small and large intestine too quickly to allow for the usual absorption of fluid and nutrients. Irritation within the colon results in increased mucus secretion. As a result, feces become watery, and the patient is unable to control the urge to defecate. Normally an anal bag is safe and effective in long-term treatment of patients with fecal incontinence at home, in hospice, or in the hospital. Fecal incontinence is expensive and a potentially dangerous condition in terms of contamination and risk of skin ulceration
HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. They are either external or internal.
FLATULENCE
As gas accumulates in the lumen of the intestines, the bowel wall stretches and distends (flatulence). It is a common cause of abdominal fullness, pain, and cramping. Normally intestinal gas escapes through the mouth (belching) or the anus (passing of flatus)
FECAL INCONTINENCE
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus. Incontinence harms a patient’s body image
PREPARATION AND GIVING OF LAXATIVESACCORDING TO POTTER AND PERRY,
An enema is the instillation of a solution into the rectum and sig
Leading the Way in Nephrology: Dr. David Greene's Work with Stem Cells for Ki...Dr. David Greene Arizona
As we watch Dr. Greene's continued efforts and research in Arizona, it's clear that stem cell therapy holds a promising key to unlocking new doors in the treatment of kidney disease. With each study and trial, we step closer to a world where kidney disease is no longer a life sentence but a treatable condition, thanks to pioneers like Dr. David Greene.
One of the most developed cities of India, the city of Chennai is the capital of Tamilnadu and many people from different parts of India come here to earn their bread and butter. Being a metropolitan, the city is filled with towering building and beaches but the sad part as with almost every Indian city
CHAPTER 1 SEMESTER V - ROLE OF PEADIATRIC NURSE.pdfSachin Sharma
Pediatric nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of children. Their responsibilities are wide-ranging, and their objectives can be categorized into several key areas:
1. Direct Patient Care:
Objective: Provide comprehensive and compassionate care to infants, children, and adolescents in various healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, etc.).
This includes tasks like:
Monitoring vital signs and physical condition.
Administering medications and treatments.
Performing procedures as directed by doctors.
Assisting with daily living activities (bathing, feeding).
Providing emotional support and pain management.
2. Health Promotion and Education:
Objective: Promote healthy behaviors and educate children, families, and communities about preventive healthcare.
This includes tasks like:
Administering vaccinations.
Providing education on nutrition, hygiene, and development.
Offering breastfeeding and childbirth support.
Counseling families on safety and injury prevention.
3. Collaboration and Advocacy:
Objective: Collaborate effectively with doctors, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care for children.
Objective: Advocate for the rights and best interests of their patients, especially when children cannot speak for themselves.
This includes tasks like:
Communicating effectively with healthcare teams.
Identifying and addressing potential risks to child welfare.
Educating families about their child's condition and treatment options.
4. Professional Development and Research:
Objective: Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in pediatric healthcare through continuing education and research.
Objective: Contribute to improving the quality of care for children by participating in research initiatives.
This includes tasks like:
Attending workshops and conferences on pediatric nursing.
Participating in clinical trials related to child health.
Implementing evidence-based practices into their daily routines.
By fulfilling these objectives, pediatric nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the optimal health and well-being of children throughout all stages of their development.
ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance.pdfNEHA GUPTA
The "ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance" PDF provides a comprehensive overview of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines related to pharmacovigilance. These guidelines aim to ensure that drugs are safe and effective for patients by monitoring and assessing adverse effects, ensuring proper reporting systems, and improving risk management practices. The document is essential for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, and healthcare providers, offering detailed procedures and standards for pharmacovigilance activities to enhance drug safety and protect public health.
The dimensions of healthcare quality refer to various attributes or aspects that define the standard of healthcare services. These dimensions are used to evaluate, measure, and improve the quality of care provided to patients. A comprehensive understanding of these dimensions ensures that healthcare systems can address various aspects of patient care effectively and holistically. Dimensions of Healthcare Quality and Performance of care include the following; Appropriateness, Availability, Competence, Continuity, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Efficacy, Prevention, Respect and Care, Safety as well as Timeliness.
The Importance of Community Nursing Care.pdfAD Healthcare
NDIS and Community 24/7 Nursing Care is a specific type of support that may be provided under the NDIS for individuals with complex medical needs who require ongoing nursing care in a community setting, such as their home or a supported accommodation facility.
Global launch of the Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index 2nd wave – alongside...ILC- UK
The Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index is an online tool created by ILC that ranks countries on six metrics including, life span, health span, work span, income, environmental performance, and happiness. The Index helps us understand how well countries have adapted to longevity and inform decision makers on what must be done to maximise the economic benefits that comes with living well for longer.
Alongside the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 28 May 2024, we launched the second version of our Index, allowing us to track progress and give new insights into what needs to be done to keep populations healthier for longer.
The speakers included:
Professor Orazio Schillaci, Minister of Health, Italy
Dr Hans Groth, Chairman of the Board, World Demographic & Ageing Forum
Professor Ilona Kickbusch, Founder and Chair, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute and co-chair, World Health Summit Council
Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director, Country Health Policies and Systems Division, World Health Organisation EURO
Dr Marta Lomazzi, Executive Manager, World Federation of Public Health Associations
Dr Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum
Dr Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director General, Public Health Agency of Sweden
Explore our infographic on 'Essential Metrics for Palliative Care Management' which highlights key performance indicators crucial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of palliative care services.
This visual guide breaks down important metrics across four categories: Patient-Centered Metrics, Care Efficiency Metrics, Quality of Life Metrics, and Staff Metrics. Each section is designed to help healthcare professionals monitor and improve care delivery for patients facing serious illnesses. Understand how to implement these metrics in your palliative care practices for better outcomes and higher satisfaction levels.
1. 1/4
October 31, 2019
THE CONTINUING OPIOID EPIDEMIC
thesoberworld.com/2019/10/31/the-continuing-opioid-epidemic
Getting treatment for an opioid use disorder will hopefully in turn reduce
the number of overdoses and deaths related to opioid use.
Despite increased public awareness about the dangers of opioids, the epidemic continues
in the US. What can we do to counter this deadly trend?
The numbers are striking.
• About 68% (more than 47,000) of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths in the US
in 2017 involved an opioid
• 36% of those 47,000+ deaths were attributed to prescription opioids
• In 2017, the number of overdose deaths in the US involving opioids prescription and
illegal—was 6 times higher than in 1999
• On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose
Increased attention to deaths related to opiate use has spurred action. Many states
have developed mandates to intervene to prevent deaths. There also has been increased
response to the need for more caution in the prescribing of opioids.
“We are in the middle of an epidemic, with hundreds of people losing their lives
every day,” said Shelly F. Greenfield, MD, MPH. “But we are fighting each day to
develop tools and policies that will stem the loss of life.” Greenfield is the director of
McLean’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Clinical and Health Services Research Program.
2. 2/4
Improving Reaction to Emergencies
Public health advocates and clinicians have embraced the use of naloxone for opioid use
emergencies. Trained laypersons can administer this opiates antidote. Partly through the
intervention of the FDA, over time, prices for naloxone treatments have been greatly
reduced.
Recently, distribution of intranasal naloxone to those struggling with opiate addiction—
and to their loved ones—has become an overdose prevention strategy. Intranasal
naloxone can be administered by anyone. This can revive an overdosed individual while
formal medical treatment is sought.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Intranasal naloxone is an important and potentially lifesaving intervention for someone
who has overdosed on opiates. Nonetheless, it is not a substitute for addressing the
underlying problem of addiction.
Hilary S. Connery, MD, PhD, is the clinical director of McLean’s Substance Use
Disorder Division. She is working to enhance follow-up care for those who have received
emergency treatment for opioid use.
“A lot of patients who get naloxone rescue don’t engage in followup treatment,” she said.
“Obviously, opioid use disorder is a lethal illness, but it’s a lethal illness for which we have
very good treatment that will save lives. It’s time to create a community-wide
collaborative where rapid response and rapid initiation of treatment are available to
patients, post-overdose, for all who are willing to seek treatment and are open to that.”
Getting treatment for an opioid use disorder will hopefully in turn reduce the number of
overdoses and deaths related to opioid use.
Treating Opioid Use Disorders with Medication
Many evidence-based treatments now exist. These include medication based and
therapeutic approaches to treat substance addiction.
Methadone is one type of medication that can be effective for opioid use disorders. It
stimulates pain-relieving receptors in the brain similarly to other opiates, such as
oxycodone.
There’s an important difference between methadone and opioids that are often misused,
like heroin. Methadone’s effect takes place more slowly and lasts longer. As a result,
people in treatment with methadone typically do not experience a euphoric “high,” nor do
they experience the cravings associated with the drug effect wearing off quickly.
Studies have demonstrated that methadone treatment is associated with a lower risk of
opioid misuse, death, criminal activity, and unsafe behaviors that can lead to infection
with HIV or viral hepatitis.
3. 3/4
Methadone use is highly regulated. It only takes place at specially licensed treatment
programs that offer intensive treatment. This approach may reduce the risk of patients
using medication for nontreatment purposes. It can also be an obstacle to people who
want to be treated, but don’t want to go to a methadone treatment program.
Buprenorphine was introduced, in part, to offer an office-based treatment option for
patients. Like methadone, it stimulates the opiate receptor in the brain to reduce drug
cravings. It also blocks the opiate receptor to reduce or eliminate the effects of misused
opiates. Buprenorphine treatment has similar benefits to moderate doses of methadone,
in terms of reducing opiate use and mortality rates.
Buprenorphine is commonly taken as a pill placed under the tongue. A new, long-acting
version can be injected monthly to help individuals stick to the treatment and to maintain
steady blood levels.
Unlike methadone, clinicians who have completed specialty training can prescribe
buprenorphine. This allows people to receive a prescription in their community provider’s
office. Many people find this preferable and more convenient than treatment at a
methadone program.
About 68% (more than 47,000) of the more than 70,200 drug overdose
deaths in the US in 2017 involved an opioid. 36% of those 47,000+ deaths
were attributed to prescription opioids
A third medication option is naltrexone. It is a blocker of the opiate receptor. This means
that it reduces or eliminates the effects of other opiates by not allowing them to stimulate
the brain’s opiate receptor.
Naltrexone for opioid use disorder is most commonly administered as a long-acting,
monthly injection. This helps reduce vulnerability to relapse when a person might skip a
daily dose. Long-acting,injectable naltrexone treatment is associated with similar
reductions in opiate use to those seen with buprenorphine treatment.
One challenge with naltrexone treatment is the need to establish an opioid-free period of
1-4 weeks before taking the first dose. This can be an overwhelming obstacle for many
people struggling with opioid use disorder—unless they are provided with adequate
support.
Inpatient and residential treatment programs can provide a structured setting for
detoxification and stabilization before starting medication treatment. Residential
treatment for opioid use disorders is associated with less use of heroin and other drugs,
lower rates of heroin dependence, fewer injection-related health problems, reduced
involvement with crime, and improved overall health. There is also strong scientific
evidence of benefit from particular forms of talk and behavioral therapies delivered by
well-trained clinicians.
4. 4/4
Policy around the country regarding treatment is starting to change. In Massachusetts, for
example, collaborative efforts between the Baker Administration and state legislators
have increased patient access to residential treatment. It is important for people
struggling with opioid use disorder to recognize that they may now be able to access
treatment with insurance support.
Struggling with Multiple Conditions
People with opioid use disorder are at very high risk of suffering from depression—five
times more than people without opioid use disorders. They are also at increased risk of
death by suicide. This is partly due to the very high occurrence of depression and other
mental health conditions seen among those with opioid use disorders.
Clinicians offer a broad array of options that have been proven to help with these common
but serious conditions. These treatments may include different types of medications and
therapy.
Overcoming the Stigma of Addiction
Effective interventions are too frequently underutilized. This is often related to a belief
that addiction represents a failure of willpower or a flaw in character.
Most genetic studies of drug and alcohol use disorders reveal that at least 50% of the risk
for these conditions is heritable. This means that it can be passed on in families, like eye
color or diabetes. This argues for a strong biological basis for these chronic diseases,
calling for clinical treatment based on best medical practices.
People do not die of character flaws. They die of illnesses. If you or a loved one is
struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, speak to your own or your loved one’s
physician, or consult one of these resources:
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: Information for patients and families
• SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
• McLean Hospital addiction treatment programs
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1.800.662.HELP
Rocco A. Iannucci, MD, is the program director of Fernside, a McLean Hospital
Signature Addiction Recovery Program. He is also an instructor in psychiatry at
Harvard Medical School. Dr. Iannucci specializes in the treatment of people with severe
substance use disorders and those with multiple mental health conditions. He has
published on the treatment of addiction in residential programs, and on cocaine misuse.