Articles on Suboxone and Opioid Dependence

Addictions damage the lives of addicts and those around them. Those looking for help may quickly learn that simply talking to the addict does not get the results that are needed. For many, the next step is an intervention.
An intervention can be successful in getting addicts to admit they need help, but don't be fooled by TV shows – they are also complicated and can even be risky. Here's what you need to know about an intervention if you are thinking one could help in your situation.

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Insider NJ reports on the newly announced efforts that the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies ("NJ CARES") intends to implement to combat the opioid crisis. Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced these three actions, according to the article:

• The statewide expansion of "Operation Helping Hand," a groundbreaking program developed in Bergen County in which law enforcement officers working with community health partners proactively engage individuals suffering from addiction and facilitate their access to treatment and recovery support services.
• A partnership with Rowan University to provide subsidized continuing education program for New Jersey health care professionals, designed to help them spot signs of opioid addiction and prevent addiction among their patients.
• The launch of the Integrated Drug Awareness Dashboard ("IDAD"), a state-of-the-art opioid data "dashboard" that allows state agencies engaged in the fight against addiction to exchange and analyze information to present a more comprehensive picture of the impact of the opioid epidemic in New Jersey and to better inform strategies to fight it.

To learn more about these initiatives, read the complete article here. To find doctors who help treat opioid addiction in New Jersey, click here.

Mark Tyndall, public health expert and researcher at British Columbia's CDC, has a solution for offering a safer supply of opioids to those who need medically assisted treatment: an opioid vending machine. Wired covers the story, providing details about the vending machine:

The machine, designed in partnership with a Canadian tech company, would allow preapproved drug users who receive a prescription from their doctors to access safer opioids using a biometric scan of the veins in their hands. Such a mechanized approach, Tyndall believes, is the only way that an intervention like this can match the scope of the problem. After a year and a half of development and endless delays, Tyndall expects the first of these machines to arrive in Vancouver before summer. Whether he'll ever get the government approval or funding to actually test the thing is another question altogether.

This technology would allow patients to skip the doctor's office and receive treatment quickly and easily, though the radical idea remains controversial.

Read this comprehensive story here, or find doctors who prescribe Suboxone near you through our directory.

Imagine you discovered a new pill for people in recovery. This pill helps you abstain from substance use, improves your mental health, and helps rebalance your brain chemistry. Not only does this pill have no negative side effects, it actually has positive side effects, improving your health and well-being. On top of all that, it's completely free! As you've probably guessed, this "pill" is physical exercise -- read on to find out how it can help you if you're in recovery.

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Nassau County in New York is expanding its medically assisted treatment programs with a new pilot program, Newsday reports.

While the article could not fully predict how many people would be helped by the program, it did go into some detail on how the program would work:

While the patients are in detox, Maryhaven employees will work with insurance companies, Medicaid and Medicare on paperwork and approvals, said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, who was part of discussions on developing the program.

"Those in crisis are seldom equipped to navigate the insurance complexities, the voluminous paperwork, the delays for [long-term residential] beds and the simple logistics toward treatment," she said. "We needed to close the gap between a person in crisis at the emergency room and the lifesaving treatment that they needed."

The article went on to report:

George Tsunis, chairman of NuHealth, the public benefit corporation that runs NUMC, said the medical center will devote 22 more beds to medically assisted treatment for addiction.
There currently are 20 such beds for medical treatment and detox, said Dr. Anthony Boutin, chief medical officer at NUMC.
NUMC employees also will make available the anti-opioid-addiction medicine Vivitrol to inmates from the Nassau County Correctional Center who want it, Tsunis said.

Read the complete article here, or find treatment centers in New York.

I Love Recovery has released a series of articles recently covering a variety of recovery-related topics, including stories from the perspective of an adult child of alcoholics, and anecdotes reminding us to breathe and avoid falling into self-destructive behavior.

In the article Days in The Life of an Adult Child – Movies, author Sherry Hawn explores films and recovery. The article says:

My recovery parallels to the film were plentiful, writ large. The unexpected crash of my family through mental illness and alcoholism. The hope for rescue that never comes; the serious consideration of suicide as a teenager. The desperate, dependent need for relationship of any kind, even with a volley ball. The inability to heal my roots, or find the right tools for living free from emotional intoxication. The unexpected appearance of an odd higher power that gave just enough "ice skates and tulle" to save me; what use were these in my pathetic condition?

In One Foot In Front Of The Other; One Breath At A Time, Kyczy Hawk discusses self-awareness and breathing:

So – when I fall into a fit of adrenaline-fueled action it lasts less long, I can spot it sooner, I can catch my breath and then breathe so my nervous system can repair. I can pause and talk and listen to others. I can then put one foot in front of the other to more pleasantly resolve the situation.

I Love Recovery also has a call for writers and bloggers at the moment—click here to learn more.

The Odessa American carried an article from the Associated Press covering an interview with the CEO of American Addiction Centers, Michael Cartwright, who discusses the use of medically assisted treatment. The following excerpts are from Cartwright:

We give very little formal education to physicians, nurses in school or in college getting their degrees, on the disease of addiction. They don't get very much information. So how would they know to use MAT (medication-assisted treatment) when someone shows up their doorstep? Until we start educating health care providers, it's going to be hard to get more access for folks at the primary care clinic or wherever they show up for health care services.

We ought to be competent to have those discussions to the point that they know how to treat it. And to be clear, MAT isn't the panacea. It's a good tool in your toolbox.

Everybody is very excited about buprenorphine. It's been around for 20 years and we've been using buprenorphine for 20 years in our clinics. I think what we're trying to do as a company is to say, "What are the best practices out there and then how do we adopt them?"

Read the full article here, or search our directory to find treatment options near you.

The Telegram from Worchester, Massachusetts recently presented an in-depth piece on the opioid crisis, discussing the role of medically assisted treatment in combatting the epidemic. The article, by Susannah Sudborough, tracks the history to the crisis back to 1990 with the introduction of OxyContin by Purdue Pharmaceuticals. Sudborough brings us from then to present day, writing:

In 2016, Massachusetts started a prescription monitoring program that requires doctors to report every time they prescribe certain controlled substances, including opioids. The state said this has caused a 30 percent decrease in opioid prescriptions. Additionally, the state passed a law that year that restricts opioid prescriptions for first-time users and minors to a seven-day supply.

The article goes on to cover future plans:

Baker's proposed budget recommends $266 million in funding across several state agencies for substance misuse treatment and services. It also includes a 15% excise tax on sales of prescription opioids in Massachusetts that would generate an estimated $14 million to fund programs and efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Sudborough includes commentary from Senate chair Julian Cyr, who leads the mental health, substance abuse and recovery committee, who states:

"The governor's proposed tax is bold and encouraging. We need to throw the kitchen sink at it (the opioid crisis) in terms of resources."

Read the full article here, or find opioid addiction treatment in Worcester, MA.

Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush spoke on a panel regarding the opioid epidemic on Thursday at the University of Pennsylvania, as covered by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Kenney voiced support for a supervised injection site in Philadelphia despite opposition from residents of Kensington:

"It’s very, very difficult to explain to neighbors, this is a good thing, that we’re saving lives," Kenney said. A supervised injection site, he added, is a place "to interact with social workers and addiction services. You can’t do that when a person is living" in a homeless encampment.

Biden and Bush directed attention towards concerns around the drug providers and doctors who overprescribe painkillers, ultimately sparking the opioid crisis nationwide. The Daily Pennsylvanian shares a summary of Biden’s commentary:

Biden decried the over-prescription of opioids by American doctors and the "greed" of drug companies. The former VP noted that the death tally from the current opioid crisis was larger than the American death toll from the Vietnam War.

Find providers who help treat opioid addiction in Pennsylvania, or search for doctors throughout the United States with our directory.

Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio just proposed a bill that would require all drug manufacturers that sell or distribute opioids in the state of Rhode Island to pay an opioid tax, according to a news update from the Providence Journal. The goal of this tax is to generate funding to buy naloxone to help offset the opioid crisis and help treat overdoses. Ruggerio speaks on the matter:

“It is critical that we do all we can to educate Rhode Islanders about the crisis, prevent overdose incidents when possible, and support treatment and recovery programs. One bill I am submitting today puts the financial burden where it belongs, on the manufacturers profiting from the sale of opioids, so that we can better address this crisis.”

Read the full story here, or use our directory to find doctors who help treat opioid addiction in Rhode Island.

San Antonio Express-News just published a comprehensive story on medically assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, noting a lack of providers in the area and the stigmas around MAT.

The article begins with an anecdote about Jennifer Ramirez, who experienced substance use disorder beginning in her teenage years, and her path from taking methadone, then buprenorphine, throughout her recovery. At the public clinic where Ramirez received methadone, only five of the 620 patients receive buprenorphine. Ruben Gonzalez, the manager of treatment services at the clinic, explains:

That's because the state only funds five "slots" for that particular medication. That imbalance reflects the nature of the clinic’s patient population, Gonzalez said: Most are long-term, heavy users of heroin.

The article identifies the small number of doctors who are certified to prescribe buprenorphine:

In Texas, as elsewhere in the nation, not many health-care providers have gone through the government-required training to obtain a "waiver" to prescribe it, experts say. Last year in Texas, fewer than 2,500 providers had taken the eight-hour workshop that lets them prescribe buprenorphine. In Bexar County, the number was 92.

Read the full story here, or search our directory to find doctors who prescribe buprenorphine in the San Antonio area.

Approximately 100 protesters and activists gathered around the Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington D.C. on Friday, April 5, 2019 in an effort to push the FDA to more thoroughly address the impacts of opioid crisis. The protesters brought along a giant sculpture of a spoon used to cook heroin, created by artist-activist Domenic Esposito, as well as signs shaped like headstones to contribute to the message. Hyperallergic Media provides Esposito's commentary:

"The spoon sculpture — engraved with the FDA's logo — signifies the responsibility the FDA bears in first causing and now fixing this urgent national health crisis," Esposito said in a statement regarding Friday's protest. "We deliver customized spoon sculptures to show those responsible that the recovery community and the general public are watching and will not rest until everyone steps up and cooperates in ending this crisis."

This protest comes as Scott Gottlieb, FDA commissioner, steps down from his role, which will be filled by Ned Sharpless, director of the National Cancer Institute, according to an update from STAT News.

Find opioid addiction treatment in Washington, D.C. through our directory.

Shatterproof, a non-profit organization focused on addiction awareness and advocacy, has started a campaign called Hope Stems, with the goal of generating awareness around opioid addiction and the stigmas that often accompany it. The campaign uses a flower arrangement depicting how opioids alter the brain, with celosia forming the brain shape and black poppies representing opioids.

The Fix reports on the flower exhibit that Shatterproof recently displayed in New York City in front of Macy's, during which passerby were encouraged to remove a black poppy from the brain flower formation, which symbolized, "the restoration that happens when someone gets treatment and is able to overcome their opioid addiction." The Hope Stems campaign can be seen next in Atlanta at the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit from April 22-25, 2019.

Learn more about the Hope Stems campaign, or find doctors who treat opioid addiction in New York City or Atlanta.

Pain specialists at the University of Arizona and Banner – University Medicine recently conducted research on chronic pain treatment that doesn’t involve opioid use, determining that pain clinics could be beneficial in reducing opioid usage, according to a press release from the University of Arizona. The primary objective of the study was to “evaluate the role of a pain clinic staffed by fellowship-trained pain physicians in reducing pain and opioid use in chronic nonmalignant pain patients,” as explained in the Pain Physician Journal.

UA News highlights the outcomes of the study:

Patients were asked to rate their pain on a scale of zero to 10, with results showing the average pain score decreased by almost 34 percent. The pain frequency and number of pain episodes improved. Also, the patients reported better ability to sleep, work and perform chores. Finally, the patients were able to reduce their total opioid use by about 55 percent.

Read more about the study here, or find doctors who can help with opioid addiction in Arizona.

The Pew Charitable Trust recommends more resources for Medically Assisted Treatment to the

Delaware government, according to a news update from The Beacon. The Pew Trust started with the Delaware program in July of 2018, conducting a comprehensive needs assessment including interviewing stakeholders.

The article from the Milford Beacon states:

“Delaware has made great strides in addressing the opioid crisis, a complicated public health problem that demands multifaceted solutions,” said Beth Connolly, director of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ substance use prevention and treatment initiative. “It’s a problem that also requires commitment and collaboration from state leaders to get more Delawareans the evidence-based treatment they need. We are pleased to help further this crucial work in partnership with the Behavioral Health Consortium, Lt. Gov. Hall-Long and the Delaware General Assembly.”

The Pew report states:

A conclusive body of research has demonstrated that MAT is the most effective way to treat this disorder. Based on the strength of the evidence and clear barriers to accessing MAT, Pew focuses its efforts on policy change that could expand access to all three U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and behavioral health counseling. The exclusion of prevention, harm reduction, and recovery support interventions does not reflect their lack of importance. Rather, the focus on treatment access reflects the scope of the state’s invitation to Pew and the pathway that responds most directly to the pressing need to curb opioid overdose deaths. Stigma towards individuals with OUD is another important issue not directly addressed in this report. Many of the recommendations could help address stigma by improving the integration of OUD treatment with physical and mental health care; however, stigma is not the direct target of any single recommendation.

Find doctors who treat substance use disorder in Delaware through our directory.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Wellness and Recovery will be receiving the majority of the funds from the settlement with Purdue Pharma in the Oklahoma opioid lawsuit, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The center, which opened in October 2017, hopes to become "the premier addiction research center in the nation," a goal to which this newfound budget will surely contribute. The Oklahoman references Dr. Kayse Shrum, President of OSU-CHS and Dean of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, who speaks on the benefits of the funding:

"These grants will give us more resources to help educate and treat those suffering from addiction, as well as prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to these drugs that can become deadly when misused."

Read coverage from the AAAS, and the Oklahoman, then browse our directory to find addiction treatment in Oklahoma.

NPR reports that beginning on May 1, 2019, China will institute regulations to treat all fentanyl-related drugs as controlled substances—an effort intended to cut the supply of a drug that significantly contributes to the opioid crisis in the United States. NPR's news update explains the issue:

"Authorities in China already regulate 25 variants of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to thousands of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. But some manufacturers in China, seeking to evade controls, have introduced slight changes to the molecular structure of their drugs, giving them the legal loophole to manufacture and export before the government can assess the products for safety and medical use".

This decision comes after an earlier discussion between President Xi Jinping and President Trump that occurred in December 2018, after which President Trump tweeted In favour of China implementing the death penalty for fentanyl distributors and pushers.

Read the full article from NPR here, or search our directory to find providers of opioid addiction treatment throughout the United States.

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that Florida will be re-establishing its office of drug control with the intent of reducing substance abuse in the state, according to an update from NBC 6 South Florida. DeSantis has appointed Attorney General Ashley Moody to lead the task force.

Moody recently spoke at a Florida Association of Counties event, during which she explained her objectives in addressing the opioid epidemic and human trafficking in Florida. Florida Politics offers highlights from her discussion:

“From the moment I started as a candidate, we were losing 14 people a day to the opioid epidemic in Florida alone. From the time that it took for me to go from saying, ‘I am a candidate,’ to now becoming the 38th Attorney General, we now lose 17 people a day. And the projections are that is going to keep increasing unless we, as a state, can start making progress and using data-based approaches to aggressively attack this epidemic.”

Explore addiction treatment options in Florida through the directory.

Judge Torresen of the United States District Court for the District of Maine has ruled in favor of Brenda Smith receiving buprenorphine treatment during her 40-day jail sentence, as reported by WGME CBS 13 News. Smith has been in recovery from opioid use disorder for nearly ten years, with medically assisted treatment aiding in the process. The court's decision was based on the maintenance of Smith's health and abidance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Attorney James Monteleone offers commentary:

"Combating the stigma against medication-assisted treatment for opioid disorders is crucial to overcoming the opioid crisis in Maine and across the country. That means recognizing that medication-assisted treatment is essential medical care for many patients."

Read the full article here or find doctors who administer Suboxone in Maine.

The New York Times just published an opinion piece on the opioid crisis and the inaccessibility of medically assisted treatment (MAT). The article references a recent consensus study report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, sharing a striking statistic:

More than 80 percent of the roughly two million people struggling with opioid addiction in the United States are not being treated with the medications most likely to nudge them into remission or prevent them from overdosing

The article continues on to recount the history of the approved medications for treating opioid dependence and explains the effectiveness of these prescription drugs in reducing the likelihood of death from addiction. The Editorial Board highlights the difficulty patients face in receiving buprenorphine treatment, including the lack of treatment availability, stigmas around MAT, and the rigorous process doctors must undergo to administer treatment.

Read the full article here. If you're looking for treatment options near you, just search in our directory.

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to a $270 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by the Oklahoma attorney general, according to CNN. The New York Times reports that this settlement is considerably higher than those of earlier lawsuits in different states, including a settlement between Purdue Pharma and Kentucky of $24 million in 2015.

Purdue Pharma was accused of deceptive marketing and aggressive promotion that downplayed the OxyContin’s addictive properties. The settlement comes two months before the scheduled trial date at the end of May, in which the trial was to be televised in Oklahoma, as NBC News explains in its coverage of the lawsuit. The New York Times gives context:

But the settlement also means that the public will not hear a full recounting of Purdue’s actions in promoting OxyContin to doctors and underplaying its addictive properties, including testimony by members of the Sackler family.

See doctors who help treat opioid dependence in Oklahoma City.

The NC Council of Churches recently held a summit in Raleigh, North Carolina focusing on the opioid crisis and the importance of Medicaid coverage for patient treatment, according to an article by North Carolina Health News. Advocates in the faith-based group urge for Medicaid expansion to include health insurance for substance abuse treatment as a means of helping address opioid addiction.

The article references Steve Mange, senior policy and strategy counsel at the North Carolina Department of Justice, who discusses how increased insurance coverage could help law enforcement:

If North Carolina closed the coverage gap, more people would get into addiction treatment and it would help relieve the pressure on law enforcement, jails and district attorneys across the state, Mange said.

Read the full article here.

See doctors who treat substance use disorders in Raleigh, or throughout the state of North Carolina.

Practicing self-care turns us into the best versions of ourselves, not only physically, but also mentally. As psychologist Guy Winch asks, "We brush and floss, but what daily activity do we do to maintain our psychological health?"

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The governor of Virginia approved a bill this month permitting staff members of Virginia schools to administer naloxone in opioid-related emergencies, according to a recent article from The Breeze. This preventative measure is rooted in the rise in deaths caused by opioid overdose in Virginia over the past year, and the concern of waiting too long for an ambulance to arrive in an emergency situation.

The superintendent of Goochland County Public Schools, Jeremy Raley, speaks on the matter:

"I do believe it's a positive change. One may never know when a situation arises when someone may be in crisis. We want to have all the tools to meet the many needs of our students. This would be an additional tool that we would have at our disposal should a student ever need it."

Read the full article here.

Find doctors who specialize in the treatment of opioid addiction in Virginia.

An increasing number of pharmaceutical companies are launching generic versions of Suboxone in the United States since the court ruling that opened the market to competition, according to Bloomberg’s recent update on the topic. In February, after over two years of legal disputes regarding the potential infringement on Indivior’s Suboxone patent, the U.S. Supreme Court authorized Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to resume selling its generic version of Suboxone.

Bloomberg quotes Brendan Saloner, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who speaks on the significance of this occurrence:

“It’s potentially a really big deal. (Suboxone Film has) a really important role in the overall strategy of combating the overdose crisis.”

Read the full article here.

Find doctors and treatment centers who administer Suboxone through our directory.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to Nutra Pharma Corp. for illegally marketing multiple products with fraudulent claims, as detailed in a news release published on the FDA website. These products were portrayed as being able to treat addiction, chronic pain, and a series of other conditions. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. expressed the FDA's concerns regarding the fraudulent marketing, stating, "We're especially focused on those who would exploit Americans harmed by the opioid crisis with the false promise of products that can treat pain or addiction, but that offer no such benefit."

The news release continues to explain the FDA's goal of increasing the availability of medication assisted treatment for individuals with opioid addictions:

"The FDA is taking steps to make safe and effective MAT available to those who suffer from OUD and to reduce the stigma that is sometimes associated with use of these therapies. Using products with unsubstantiated claims may prevent those addicted to opioids from seeking approved treatments that have been demonstrated to be safe and effective, delay their path to recovery and put them at greater risk of death."

Read the full news release here.

Find doctors and treatment centers specializing in medically assisted treatment through our directory.

Governor Janet Mills of Maine is making access to medically assisted treatment (MAT) a priority in fighting the opioid crisis in her state. According to Fosters.com, the proposed initiatives include removing limits on Medicaid-funded methadone, buprenorphine, and naloxone, as well as making MAT available in Maine's prisons.

Fosters.com quotes Kirsten Figeuroa, Mills' finance chief, who states:

"Drug overdoses took 282 lives in Maine in just the first 9 months of 2018 — one overdose per day. Evidence is clear that medication-assisted treatment is a critical tool in fighting opioid addiction".

Read the full article here.

WGME CBS 13 in Portland cites Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response, who clarifies that addiction is "medical" and not "criminal":

"People with substance use disorders are ill, they're not criminals. Almost all of them at some point in their journey have violated one or more laws, but primarily they're ill."

Read the rest of the story here.

Looking for doctors who administer buprenorphine in Maine? Click here.

Investigative journalist Katie Wedell of Dayton Daily News recently composed an article about her takeaways from covering the opioid crisis in Ohio, sharing just how much she learned about addiction and recovery throughout the process. Wedell summarizes what she learned in three points, the first relating to varying paths of recovery:

"No two people I interviewed took the same path to recovery. Some preferred abstinence programs and 12-step meetings. Some swore by Vivitrol shots that block cravings for 30 days. Some said being locked up saved them from themselves. Almost everyone tried and failed multiple times until they found the program that worked for them. There’s still much debate in the industry about what kind of treatment works best, but many in recovery say it’s the one that works for you."

The article continues to point out the desire of those in recovery to give back, and the wide-reaching effects of addiction throughout the community.

Read the full article here, or use our website to find Suboxone doctors in Dayton, Ohio.

Coverage on the new media campaign revolving around buprenorphine availability in Philadelphia continues, bringing the opioid crisis in the city to the forefront of public attention. The Inquirer Editorial Board of Philly.com highlights the surplus of vacant spots in medically assisted treatment (MAT) programs and discusses the controversy around MAT:

"Because of ill-conceived notions that the only real recovery is sobriety, using medication to treat opioid addiction is stigmatized as nothing more than replacing one substance with another. People who use bupe or methadone are told they aren't "clean". But there is nothing "dirty" about good medicine. There is increasing understanding that addiction is a disease, and should be treated as one — and that just like a person with diabetes needs insulin, some people in opioid addiction need bupe or methadone."

Read the full editorial here, or find suboxone treatment centers in Philadelphia.

 

CNN recently published a story about a mobile treatment program in Pennsylvania run by Positive Recovery Solutions, featuring the experiences of Stuart Masula and Amanda Cope, who run the program. Masula talks about his work at the clinic, stating, "I literally probably have the best job you could ever have. I get to go to work and see people who are trying to change their lives every single day for the better."

The mobile addiction clinic administers monthly injections of Vivitrol to patients in recovery from opioid addiction.

Read the full article here, or find doctors who administer buprenorphine in Pennsylvania.

 

I Love Recovery Café offers tips on returning home after treatment, listing ways to create a calming home environment conducive to recovery. Familiarity is encouraged, but change is suggested to help avoid setbacks. The author provides recommendations:

"Remove any emotional triggers that might set them off and consider changing the interior design scheme just a bit to promote feelings of well-being, calmness, and health."

See the complete list of tips here, or read more on life after rehab.

The Marietta Times recently published an article on the evolving medically assisted treatment (MAT) options available to people in its community, in which the drug treatment court in Washington County can approve MAT upon the recommendation of a clinician. The court aims to institute treatment plans most suitable for each individual, following the standards of the Ohio Supreme Court in determining the best course of treatment.

The article quotes Coda Kyle, the Marietta clinical coordinator for Rigel, who explains Vivitrol treatment:

"It's a medical treatment, appropriate, for example, for someone with severe opioid use disorder", she said. The recommendation would come from a medical professional such as a nurse practitioner, she said.

Despite public stigmas around MAT, using medication in the addiction recovery process is becoming more common, especially as medical and scientific professionals continue to endorse this form of treatment. Kyle elaborates on her experience:

"Years ago there was an emphasis on abstinence, but as the epidemic got more attention, and more research was done, the evidence showed that MAT generally has better outcomes, and public perception of it is shifting into more positive perspective."

Read the full article here.

"I am living proof that bupe works", proclaims signs around the city of Philadelphia, sharing the message of a new media campaign aimed towards building awareness around the availability of medically assisted treatment. The PhillyVoice covers the news around this new campaign, quoting David Jones, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, who states that, "This campaign is largely to say to individuals, 'If you are ready to participate in treatment, we have a slot for you". The advertisements feature individuals who have used medically assisted treatment in the recovery process.

With the prevalence of opioid and heroin-related deaths in the Philadelphia area, this $200,000 ad campaign lets locals know that help is available.

Read the full article here, or use our website to find a treatment center or a doctor near you.

When someone has a drug addiction, many changes occur within the body that interfere with its normal functioning. What many people do not know is that these changes affect the brain and other vital organs. Within the brain, drug addiction impacts the areas for pleasure, stress, and decision making. This causes the individual to only feel pleasure from the drug, become anxious and stressed without the drug, and have less impulse control. Drug addiction also affects the portion of the brain that controls heart rate, sleeping, and breathing, which are essential to sustaining life.

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There can be many challenges associated with talking to a loved one about their addiction that could result in the conversation not occurring. However, addressing addiction to a loved one is important because they need a lot of empathy and support during this difficult time. Knowing how to prepare and approach your loved one is crucial to having a beneficial conversation about addiction. They need you during this time because they are likely to express their feelings more freely to someone they are comfortable with. Once you have this conversation with your loved one, you can get a better understanding of their addiction and how you can further help them during this difficult time.

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Once the great achievement of sobriety is accomplished through addiction treatment, it is now time for you to take on the world in this new life journey. Things will need to change in your life, so you can be able to maintain sobriety after rehab. Explore these 10 Steps to Staying Sober to learn how you can increase your chances for long-term success in recovery.

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Being employed full time or even part time is crucial for many Americans because it provides a steady income and necessary benefits. Unfortunately, certain issues can impact employment status such as misconduct and breaking company policies. That is why it is understandable for you to question whether going through Suboxone treatment is acceptable when working full time.

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Buprenorphine-doctors.com wants to assist you in finding the Suboxone doctor that will help you regain control of your life.  You can use our in-depth database to search for a Suboxone clinic in your area, but do you know what to do when you have found one that seems right for you?  Don’t worry – we have compiled a list of 12 questions you will want your Suboxone clinic to answer, whether you find these answers on their website or by calling them for more information.

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Suboxone, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, is a medication assisted treatment for addictions to both opioids and opiates. It consists of the two drugs Buprenorphine and Naloxone and needs to be administered under medical supervision. The benefit of Suboxone is that it lessens the brain’s need for an opiate and prevents withdrawal symptoms. However, as with any medication, there are side effects to Suboxone that you want to be aware of when seeking Suboxone treatment.

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Suboxone treatment can help those suffering from opioid addiction find their path to recovery by relieving pain and alleviating withdrawal symptoms.  However, Suboxone itself is a drug and has the potential to be addictive, which is why you should always seek Suboxone treatment under the care of a licensed professional – find a Suboxone doctor near you. 

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One of the major concerns people suffering from drug addiction have about substance abuse treatment is whether their treatment can remain confidential – and this often prevents them from seeking treatment at all.  They fear losing their job, family, and friends if anyone were to find out about their addiction struggles.  This is why it is so important for those seeking treatment to know their rights and the federal laws protecting their confidentiality.  After all, privacy and protected health information is an important aspect of treatment, and any breach in this privacy can adversely affect you or a loved one’s recovery.

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Learn more about Buprenorphine and its use in the treatment of opioid addiction.

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Learn more about Generic Suboxone.

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