Phoenix provides a lengthy list of doctors who can prescribe suboxone to those patients suffering with opioid withdrawal. Addiction to opiates results in a constellation of uncomfortable withdrawal effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, body ache, etc) which induce chronic stress and can lead to depression and diminished ability to meet one’s daily responsibilities. Buprenorphine is the therapeutic additive in Suboxone that reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone has emerged as a popular and effective opioid replacement medication that restores a person’s functioning following a period of decline in active opioid addiction. Only approved physicians are legally able to write prescriptions for buprenorphine/suboxone. If you are a local physician aiming to treat Phoenix area residents, you may purchase a featured listing at the top of this page insuring that your medical services will be found by prospective patients searching our website for quality opioid treatment.
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Federal Rules For Methadone Access Are ChangingThe 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.
Posted in Buprenorphine, Harm Reduction, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Take Home, Opioid Treatment, Prescription Drugs, Suboxone
Tagged buprenorphine, methadone
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How Bad Is Opioid WithdrawalThere 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.
Posted in Buprenorphine, Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Opiate Withdrawal, Opioid Treatment, Pain Management, Prescription Drugs, Suboxone
Tagged Fentanyl
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