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August 13, 2020

The Covid-19 Pandemic is Affecting the Opioid Epidemic

Before the emergence of Covid-19, overdose deaths took an average of 130 American lives per day. Some estimate that the number has doubled over the past few months, as resources for people with substance use disorders have been diverted to deal with the immediate crisis of the pandemic. The lack of access to treatment has left many people vulnerable while isolation and socioeconomic stressors are at an all-time high. 

More Reasons To Relapse

Job loss, depression, and loneliness increase the likelihood that a person with a substance use disorder may be driven to relapse. People who are cut off from their support network by quarantine and stay-at-home orders are not getting the medical care they need. According to White House analysis, overdose deaths were up by 11.4% from January to April of this year when compared with the same period in 2019 when death rates were already at historically high levels. The outlook has only worsened since then, as the coronavirus continues to spread.

An Overwhelmed Medical Community

Some fear that hospitals are too busy dealing with Covid-19 patients to enroll overdose survivors into addiction treatment programs. Without a comprehensive follow-up plan, opioid abuse patients face a greater risk of relapse and overdose. This is especially true when you factor in the loss of continuity of treatment, and other potential struggles:

  • unpaid medical bills,
  • loss of insurance,
  • loss of employment,
  • a lack of support. 

Where do we go from here?

In a recent podcast, AMA President Patrice Harris acknowledged the pandemic has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and emphasized the need to eliminate treatment barriers. Recent regulatory changes have made it easier for healthcare providers to expand virtual care options like telehealth services. These new measures also offer more accessibility to the medications that patients need. We must ensure that all populations have equitable access to these treatment pathways, especially the marginalized populations who have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. 

The medical community can do its part by educating more doctors around pain management, addiction treatment, and legitimizing addiction medicine. Providing addiction resources is more important than ever, especially during Covid-19. With proper planning and execution, this new infrastructure will continue to expand access to treatment, even when the pandemic is over. Making these proactive policy changes permanent will significantly aid those suffering from opioid addiction and substance use disorder.

Alleva offers telehealth solutions and supports behavioral health providers. Discover how Alleva can help you by scheduling a free demo today.  

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January 17, 2018

Opioid Epidemic in the U.S. on the Rise

According to the latest Pew Research study, nearly half of all Americans have a family member or close friend struggling with a Substance Use Disorder, or SUD. Addiction strikes hard, and it is blind to race, age, or political affiliation. Among every demographic, death by overdose is on the rise, affecting over 7.4 million Americans, with the opioid epidemic at the center of it all.

The facts:

  • Heroin-related overdose deaths have increased by 600% from 2002 to 2015.
  • Of 64,000 drug overdose deaths in 2016:
    • Over 20,000 were caused by synthetic opioids.
    • Over 15,000 were related to heroin.
    • Over 14,000 were related to natural and semi-synthetic opioids (such as hydrocodone and buprenorphine)
  • Drug abuse and SUDs are estimated to cost society $442 billion annually.

While the causes of this massive opioid epidemic are complex, the solutions are clear. According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, the most effective interventions are carried out on a community level. Cross-sector community coalitions can assess and respond to specific local needs. Additionally, the report calls for integration of a full spectrum of treatment modalities to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the years to come.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/10/26/nearly-half-of-americans-have-a-family-member-or-close-friend-whos-been-addicted-to-drugs/

June 29, 2017

Incarceration vs. Rehabilitation

Incarceration vs RehabilitationIncarceration vs rehabilitation methods have been hotly debated over the years and recent research has emerged that has greatly improved practices and progress in treating addiction as a health issue.  However, some practices are in direct conflict with what others consider proper care.

With rising opioid use across the country, there are those who would argue that in-jail treatment offers the best solution.

Inimai Chettiar and Grainne Dunne of the NYU School of Law responded to the incarceration vs rehabilitation argument, stating “We should certainly improve treatment in jails. But by focusing on building drug treatment infrastructure inside the criminal justice system, we further institutionalize its placement there. This reinforces the belief that people battling addiction deserve punishment — undoing years of progress to understand addiction as a health issue.”

Even improving treatment within the justice system could not be enough to rehabilitate those struggling with addiction.  The consequences, stigmas, and stereotypes that accompany someone who has gone through the justice system are often too difficult to overcome and while they may receive some medical or therapeutic treatment, rehabilitation includes being accepted back into society and that often cannot occur.

Treatment should be given in the appropriate environment, facilities that are designed for rehabilitation, not punishment.

In the rehabilitation vs incarceration debate, what do you support? Comment below.

May 16, 2017

Stigma of Addiction and How to Change It

Historically, addiction has been a quiet, hidden tormentor. It silently took its victims into their graves without ever bearing a burden of responsibility. Why? Because of the stigma of addiction.

Because no husband wants to tell the world that the mother of his children was a “junkie”.  No mother wants to reveal to the tennis club and the PTA that her son overdosed on heroin. Nobody wants to “dishonor” the memory of the deceased by tainting their legacy with words like “opioid,” “overdose,” or “heroin.”

However, brave families are starting to be frank in the obituaries they write. Not to dishonor their deceased loved ones, but to sound the alarm, to call others to action, to open peoples’ eyes.

The parents of a young man in New Jersey published the following in the obituary of their son: “our beautiful son, Andrew, died from an overdose of heroin. He was 23 years old. We want to share his story in the hope that lives may be saved and his death will not be in vain.”

Hundreds of other families are following suit, sharing the stories of relapses, treatment centers, overdoses, heartache, that created years of struggle for their lost loved ones. Together, they are shattering the stigma of addiction.

Obituaries of opioid epidemic victims have become cautionary tales that have the potential to save lives.  These families are ushering in a new era, when people’s obituaries will begin with, “After a brave battle with addiction,” just as they would with cancer, heart disease, or any other chronic illness.

Read here to learn more about overcoming misconceptions about addiction.

Also, if you're looking to for a new substance abuse treatment EHR, fill out the form below to get a free demo. 

May 15, 2017

An Overview Of Current Naloxone Policies

Naloxone is the product of incredible medical breakthroughs. It functions to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, a remarkable feat and a much needed one in light of the spreading opioid epidemic. When an individual has overdosed on heroin, fentanyl or painkillers, Naloxone can be administered to them intramuscularly or nasally. It works to block the opioid receptors in the central nervous system.

The mechanism of action is not completely understood at the chemical level, but we do know that it saves lives. In fact, over 30,000 overdoses were reversed through use of Naloxone between 2010 and 2014.

In many states, Naloxone is available for purchase directly from the pharmacist, without a prescription needed. Additionally, many states require that paramedics and law enforcement personnel carry the drug with them.  While these policies are good and have made a dent in the opioid crisis, additional policy changes could improve the status further.

Some of the obstacles include the lack of “good Samaritan” laws and the high price of the drug. High prices are limiting for obvious reasons, especially in the case of those supporting an active addiction.

The disease of addiction is going to drive an individual to get the next fix, not to go stock up on Naloxone incase things go south. Good Samaritan laws provide legal immunity to individuals who respond in emergency situations. In the case of overdoses, this would mean that the individual who called the ambulance could not be charged with possession themselves, even if they were also using.

The person who called would be able to ensure the administration of Naloxone and help save a life without fear of being arrested in the very same moment. These laws prioritize saving lives over punishing crimes. States like Texas, Montana, South Carolina, and Arizona currently have no Good Samaritan policies in place for the event of drug related emergencies.

Naloxone is responsible for saving countless lives. In recent years, policies have improved dramatically, making Naloxone more accessible. But there are still lives to be saved as we learn how to optimize the use of this life-saving drug.

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Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2019 - Alleva Corp. All Rights Reserved.