Chances are, you know someone who struggles with opioid addiction. It’s quite possible that person is someone you never imagined having a drug addiction. Why are so many people addicted to opioids?
The opioid crisis in the United States has been a growing problem during the last few decades. At least 2 million Americans are addicted to opioids. Helping these patients break the addiction cycle is a major challenge and concern. Therefore, prescribing and successfully administering an effective treatment plan is very important. A recent review analyzed the effectiveness of a treatment approach called medication assisted therapy (MAT). Let's take a look at how this treatment works.
Medication assisted therapy is designed to help patients with substance abuse issues. It combines a medication, like buprenorphine, with counseling and behavioral therapies to help transition a patient away from opioid dependence.
How do these MAT medications work? Basically they are "drugs to get off drugs." Buprenorphine, for example, works by targeting the areas of the brain that opioids target. It helps to relieve drug cravings and reduces withdrawal symptoms.
When a patient is receiving MAT, there are frequent office visits, check-ins, and drug tests. They also may be on the medication for a long period of time, requiring many prescription refills. Although it is a resource intensive treatment, it is effective and offers addicted patients hope of getting off these addictive painkillers.
Due to the opioid crisis, Medicaid has expanded its MAT coverage to many states. Also, more than just doctors can now prescribe this treatment. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can get permission to prescribe this treatment in some states.
MAT is also not limited to specialty medical centers like pain management clinics. Some primary care physicians can prescribe this treatment. However, some training is needed. To prescribe buprenorphine, for example, doctors need to take an eight-hour course first.
Although many primary care doctors probably didn’t get into the medical field with a desire to treat opioid addiction, it’s unfortunately becoming a commonplace. However, more physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are needed to help fight this growing public health problem. MAT is an effective tool for both primary care and pain management doctors to use to help struggling patients and combat the opioid crisis.
Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You Might Also Enjoy...
Chances are, you know someone who struggles with opioid addiction. It’s quite possible that person is someone you never imagined having a drug addiction. Why are so many people addicted to opioids?
Many people live in a state of chronic stress. Between work, family obligations, and trying to manage your own health, life is stressful! There may also be a link between stress and hypertension.
Do you know someone plagued with back pain? Since about 80% of people experience back pain at some point, you may want to consider what you can do to be in the minority. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this common pain.
On any given day, roughly 15% of American adults have neck pain. Most of the time, it’s not serious. But if you have neck pain that just doesn’t go away, you should see your doctor. Here’s why.
The Freedom Stimulator, the “implant” comes with both a “stimulator” and a “micro-receiver”. The stimulator and the micro-receiver are both covered with a protective casing. The stimulator has small metal electrodes near the tip that create an electrical
Are you having trouble with dark moods or sleeplessness? Do you think that you may be suffering from depression? Depression can impact every facet of your life, but effective treatment is available.