prescription addiction
Re-Examining Suboxone: Benefits and Risks of Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine has been in the news more than usual as of late. On one side of the spectrum, we’ve learned that the…
Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma Face Lawsuits Over Role in Opioid Crisis
In 2017, opioids killed over 47,600 Americans, a large portion of whom died from legally regulated prescription painkillers. For a long time,…
FDA Holds Meetings on Prescription Opioids for Chronic Pain
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement this morning reaffirming the agency’s endorsement of prescription opioids for chronic…
Is The Perception of Addiction Changing?
Most people would like to consider themselves as enlightened, progressive and deeply in tune with the inner workings of just about everything;…
So…Just Who’s Responsible for Combating Drug Addiction?
We’ve all seen those after-school public-service announcements about drug addiction prevention is everyone’s responsibility: the cartoon animal that simplifies addiction as a…
Choosing the Right Florida Addiction Treatment Center
It’s little wonder or surprise that addicts seek a Florida addiction treatment center. The state has long been hailed as a recovery…
New Insights Further Illuminate Prince’s Tragic Painkiller Addiction
Friday will mark exactly one year since the supernaturally talented pop icon Prince was found dead in his compound just outside Minneapolis…
Northern Kentucky Officials Taking Addiction Prevention into their Own Hands
Every so often, we’re reminded of the power of communities to mobilize and improve conditions for their citizens and outlying neighborhoods. Whether…
Retired Football Player’s Story Highlights Painkiller Abuse in Sports
The widespread culture of prescription opioid abuse in the NFL has been well documented. In a recent example, more than 1,500 players have joined a lawsuit alleging their lives were irreparably harmed due to their career-related painkiller abuse. In such a competitive environment, many players resort to the most drastic measures to keep themselves playing just a little longer and a little harder while doing everything they can to temporarily alleviate the inevitable pain of competitive play. More and more NFL alumni are coming out from behind the shadows to relay their own personal experiences with opioid abuse during their playing years. The most recent of which is former San Diego Charger and New York Giant, Shane Olivea….
The Narcan Debate
Up until now we have discussed the miracle ingredient in Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)-Naloxone. One of the more common uses is in the form of Narcan. There has been much debate on the availability and allowance of families and loved one to be able to obtain and have on hand Narcan in a case of suspected overdose of a loved one. Similarly to someone carrying an “Epi” pen for severe allergic reactions.
On the other side of that coin there are many statesman and legislators that do not feel that an addict’s family should be allowed to legally have Narcan (Naloxone) in their possession. This is causing much upset in communities with a high rate of mortalities due to overdoses. Should Narcan only be administered by medical professionals? The argument holds that in the time an ambulance and EMT/EMS workers arrive a parent or loved one can preemptively administer Narcan themselves. Once administered they can potentially not only save a person that has overdosed but every minute that passes without treatment causes further brain and physical damage to a person that could be prevented if Narcan is or was available in the home. Many of us have had to call 911 in an emergency, how long has it taken them to arrive in your personal cases? The argument against Narcan being legally available is in one case that some believe it would give the addict less fear of overdose and allow them to continue to use without fear of death. There was also an argument raised in a meeting with the FDA by a representative from the American Society of Anesthesiologists — that argued a physician’s direction is needed when using the drug. This meeting was called to decide on whether to make Naloxone (Narcan) available without a prescription….