Drug Addiction Recovering From an Epidemic

By Christopher Sendi, MD

NOVA Addiction Specialists, LLC

. http://www.novaddiction.com/

More Special Articles

Drug Addiction Recovering From an Epidemic

Virtually everyone has been affected by the opioid abuse epidemic, either directly if it affects themselves or a loved one, or because they have suffered due to someone under the influence either from theft or an accident. In 2015, there were 52,404 lethal overdoses, of which 20,101 were due to pain relievers and another 12,990 deaths were due to heroin.

The impact on society at a personal level or financially is massive, and includes premature deaths, accidents, loss of work, family disruptions, and theft due to drug abuse. Very few people are not related to or have acquaintances of an individual with an opioid addiction. Opioids include illegal drugs, such as heroin, as well as synthetic drugs obtained by prescription such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and many others.

Well-intended use of prescribed pain medications can produce escalating doses with diminishing gains, transition to cheaper, illegal opioid use, and eventual dysfunctional behavior in all areas of life. Risk of overdose has become higher due to tainted narcotics that have been mixed with more powerful, cheaper agents such as fentanyl.

If you are aware of someone with an opioid addiction, there are many options for effective treatment to help them get their life back. Certainly non-medication approaches, such as narcotics anonymous, 12 step, and cognitive behavioral therapy exist to aid in recovery. Other options include highly effective medication assisted therapies, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Each intervention has benefits and risks.

Medications stabilize patients in ways that allow them to diminish cravings as they restructure their lives through counseling and active participation in other mental health therapies. Methadone is offered in specialty clinics that require daily visits for medications.

Buprenorphine comes in many formulations that allow more convenient self-administration, including Probuphine, an implantable buprenorphine product that lasts six months. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect which prevents most reward-type behaviors and decreases cravings as does methadone. Naltrexone is a complete opioid blocking agent with no euphoric effects that can be used after abstinence is achieved. It is administered in a monthly injection. This assures compliance and allows one to focus on recovery and not be tied down to a daily medication routine.

Options for successful treatments continue to expand, but combined medical management with intensive mental health strategies administered by addiction specialists are optimal. Addiction is a disease, but the choice should be recovery.