Posted on Dec 18, 2022
People addicted to opioids rarely get life-saving medications. That may change.
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https://www.npr.org/2022/12/17/ [login to see] /people-addicted-to-opioids-rarely-get-life-saving-medications-that-may-change
Doctors and researchers have known for decades that safe, easy-to-use medications are a game-changer for people addicted to opioids.
Buprenorphine and methadone reduce cravings for opioids and ease withdrawal symptoms, helping people avoid relapses and deadly overdoses.
"If somebody has access to these life-saving medications, it cuts their mortality risk by 50 percent," says Dr. Linda Wang, a researcher who treats patients with addiction at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
"It has a huge impact preventing death."
But as fatal opioid overdoses surge in the U.S., topping 80,000 deaths last year, access to these medications remains severely limited.
Wang says in part that's because of complex, often punitive federal regulations that restrict how these medicines are prescribed and dispensed.
Methadone in particular is unavailable to Americans who don't have access to special federally-approved opioid treatment clinics.
Doctors and researchers have known for decades that safe, easy-to-use medications are a game-changer for people addicted to opioids.
Buprenorphine and methadone reduce cravings for opioids and ease withdrawal symptoms, helping people avoid relapses and deadly overdoses.
"If somebody has access to these life-saving medications, it cuts their mortality risk by 50 percent," says Dr. Linda Wang, a researcher who treats patients with addiction at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
"It has a huge impact preventing death."
But as fatal opioid overdoses surge in the U.S., topping 80,000 deaths last year, access to these medications remains severely limited.
Wang says in part that's because of complex, often punitive federal regulations that restrict how these medicines are prescribed and dispensed.
Methadone in particular is unavailable to Americans who don't have access to special federally-approved opioid treatment clinics.
People addicted to opioids rarely get life-saving medications. That may change.
Posted from npr.org
Medical
Health
Drugs
Pharmaceuticals
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 3
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The most common clinical presentation is poly sub abuse. Clients tell us that recovery is a marathon and not a sprint. And some die before full recovery.
Rich
Rich
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We seem to have physicians providing prescriptions and refills just like candy! Those who have become dependant on them know, which doctors to go to!
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SSgt Richard Kensinger
Unfortunately, managed care only reimburses for prescription services over actual office visits.
Rich
Rich
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5 years ago, after I got sober, about 6 months after my last drink, I went cold turkey on the Oxys. VA had, had me on them for 10+ years. I feel a lot better now. One of the side effects of Duloxotine is pain relief. It's an off label thing since the drug is used for anxiety. My pain is reduced and my head doesn't swim.
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