Category Archives: Buprenorphine

Federal Rules For Methadone Access Are Changing

Posted on April 17, 2024 | Comments Off on Federal Rules For Methadone Access Are Changing

The synthetic opioid, fentanyl, has led to an increase in overdose deaths in recent years. As many as 112,000 in the last year according to NPR. As a result, some physicians are pushing to make methadone more available to those who need it.

The Biden administration has created new federal rules for methadone treatment designed to widen access for more patients. In particular, the requirement of one year of active opioid addiction is being reduced to just 6 months of opioid addiction in order to become eligible to receive methadone.

There are about 2000 federally-approved opioid treatment programs (OTP) in the United States. Many thousands of patients are receiving life saving services from these clinics. Since COVID, many OTP clinics have made take home medication more accessible to those in early phases of treatment.

With illegal opiates still flooding the country, increasing access to opioid treatment and medication is easily justified. The question remains as to how local law enforcement can ultimately stem the flow of drugs into the community, as well as how youth can be educated to avoid risking first drug use.

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Posted in Buprenorphine, Harm Reduction, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Take Home, Opioid Treatment, Prescription Drugs, Suboxone

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How Bad Is Opioid Withdrawal

Posted on March 10, 2024 | Comments Off on How Bad Is Opioid Withdrawal

There is an informative video by Sarah Wakeman on the physical and psychological perils of severe opioid withdrawal. Sarah is a Medical Director at Mass General Brigham. They are an integrated health care system that conduct medical research, teaching, and patient care.

In the video, Sarah explains how opioid withdrawal can become so severe with diarrhea and vomiting that individuals can die from extensive dehydration. As physicial dependency progresses, the brain becomes increasingly imbalanced and unable to function without the presence of opioids.

When opioid withdrawal commences (usually 8-12 hours after last use), it becomes increasingly unbearable as the body is flushed with stress hormones. The withdrawal discomfort builds in intensity over days, and can last up to a week or more. For many, this withdrawal process feels akin to a severe case of the flu, but then potentially reaches levels of sickness even far beyond that.

In the video, Sarah goes on to discuss the benefits of methadone and buprenorphine in reducing severe withdrawal symptoms and in helping patients to ultimately not die from overdose. She also illuminates on how rational decision-making is so extremely difficult when struggling against the intense pain of opioid withdrawal.

Please check this video out, and share it with anyone you believe can benefit from its message.

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Posted in Buprenorphine, Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Opiate Withdrawal, Opioid Treatment, Pain Management, Prescription Drugs, Suboxone

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Methadone Treatment in Oregon

Posted on September 23, 2023 | Comments Off on Methadone Treatment in Oregon

Like most states, Oregon is in need of quality treatment options for opioid-addicted individuals who are ready for recovery.

This article, in the Hillsboro News-Times, features the recent approval by Washington County commissioners to add a new methadone clinic in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Acadia Healthcare is aiming to establish the new methadone clinic in Hillsboro in order to better serve the local community. Acadia already operate a mobile unit in the general area as well as a comprehensive treatment center (CTC) in nearby Tigard located about 20 miles away.

The commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the proposed site which will be on the local bus route thereby providing improved access. The article mentions that Oregon presently has 17 operational methadone clinics serving the state, where fentanyl, opiates, and other substances are causing a grave overdose crisis.

Having local opioid treatment available is a critically important step in saving lives and providing hope to patients and families. Methadone has been proven to decrease opioid use, reduce relapse risks & overdose deaths, as well as increase employment and overall health. Clinics offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT), like methadone and buprenorphine, are forging a new path to safety for those people once stuck in active addiction.

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Posted in Acadia Healthcare, Addiction Treatment, Buprenorphine, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Oregon Methadone Clinics, Suboxone

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Buprenorphine After Overdose Facilitates Treatment

Posted on October 28, 2022 | Comments Off on Buprenorphine After Overdose Facilitates Treatment

Several articles recently addressed a study which found that providing buprenorphine after an overdose significantly increased the likelihood of individuals accessing opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment.

The current protocol for paramedics and emergency departments in treating opioid overdose is to administer naloxone in order to reverse the effects of overdose. A recently published study showed that also providing buprenorphine immediately afterward reduced withdrawal discomfort and increased outpatient addiction follow-up care.

A separate article referenced data showing a nearly six-fold increase in patients accessing outpatient addiction treatment within 30 days of the overdose event.

These are highly encouraging finds which demonstrate the far-reaching effectiveness of medication-assistance in the treatment of opioid addiction. Saving a life through overdose reversal is obviously a critical benefit, but increasing motivation for follow-up treatment is a huge step in helping addicted individuals plug into a long-term solution.

Structured treatment which utilizes medication-assistance provides so much to those aspiring to face their addiction challenges. Naloxone, buprenorphine, and methadone have saved countless lives, and these medications have provided an unrivaled opportunity for those in opioid addiction to plot a new path in life.

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Posted in Addiction Treatment, Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Opioid Treatment, Overdose Prevention, Suboxone

Over 1 Billion Dollars to Fight Opioid Crisis

Posted on September 24, 2022 | Comments Off on Over 1 Billion Dollars to Fight Opioid Crisis

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has awarded $1.5 billion in an effort to support States in their fight against opioid addiction.

The grant programs will provide funding to increase access to “24/7 Opioid Treatment Programs”. $104 million will be specifically allocated to bring treatment services to rural areas of the country that have been historically underserved.

While stabilizing and rebuilding lives through medication-assisted treatment is a priority, the prevention of overdose deaths is a distinct goal of the new funding initiative. Major confiscation of fentanyl continues month to month as law enforcement authorities intercept huge quantities of the drug pouring across the southern border.

Another $20.5 million is being earmarked for the development of programs that help connect individuals with addiction issues to local community resources that can enhance their overall recovery effort.

Additional focus will be placed on increasing the availability of naloxone which is the emergency medication that can quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Thousands of lives have been saved in the last 10 years through the timely administration of naloxone to those who have overdosed.

The White House report outlines further efforts to disrupt global drug trafficking through the addition of more law enforcement officers.

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Posted in Addiction Treatment, Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Suboxone, Suboxone Doctors