The problem of methadone underuse isn’t new—but the authors of a recently published paper offer ways to fix the situation; ways that are both new and innovative. If broad regulatory changes aren’t going to happen, they say, the solution may be to empower private insurers to make methadone more accessible to patients by, for example, allowing it to be prescribed without the … [Read more...] about Study Favors Better Insurance Reimbursement for Methadone Maintenance
Incarcerated People Are Entitled to Medications for Their OUD; So Why Aren’t They Getting Them?
There’s no question that opioid use disorder (OUD) is extremely common in incarcerated people. And yet, this group rarely receives medication treatment for OUD (MOUD). There’s no question that opioid use disorder (OUD) is extremely common in incarcerated people. And yet, this group rarely receives medication treatment for OUD (MOUD). Moreover: Each year, about … [Read more...] about Incarcerated People Are Entitled to Medications for Their OUD; So Why Aren’t They Getting Them?
Report: Why OUD Statistics Continue to Worsen, and What OTPs Can Do to Help
The statistics tell the story: Rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and its consequences continue to rise. Yet we have effective treatments: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. And data show that effective treatment reduces not only opioid use, but overdose deaths, and other consequences of opioid misuse. Moreover, we have opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that provide … [Read more...] about Report: Why OUD Statistics Continue to Worsen, and What OTPs Can Do to Help
Review Article: Methadone Legend Dr. Kreek on Opioid Addiction Treatment
Almost exactly a half-year ago we highlighted an excellent review article on opioid use disorder (OUD) by Drs. Carlos Blanco and Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (https://atforum.com/?s=blanco+and+volkow+review). Now we’re featuring another review article from another legend in the field: Mary Jeanne Kreek, MD, who heads the Laboratory of the Biology … [Read more...] about Review Article: Methadone Legend Dr. Kreek on Opioid Addiction Treatment
When Early Dropout From Opioid Agonist Therapy Seems Likely, Identifying Problems and Taking Action May Help Keep Patients in Treatment
Too often, patients drop out early from opioid agonist therapy and lose the many benefits it offers. Is there some way to intervene early and retain patients? A new study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggests that, indeed, there may be. A group headed by Leigh V. Panlilio, PhD, a staff fellow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, investigated … [Read more...] about When Early Dropout From Opioid Agonist Therapy Seems Likely, Identifying Problems and Taking Action May Help Keep Patients in Treatment
