ARTICLES
Current Studies on Low Adherence to Buprenorphine
One of three of the studies funded by the IRS Outcomes Research Trust Fund Fees ( assessed on health insurers ) will study telehealth vs in-person opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. The article notes that approximately 9,000 people in the U.S. die every month from drug overdoses even with the availability and easier access of Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a medication which subdues the cravings one has for opioid drugs including heroin and fentanyl. The study will follow patients who leave the emergency room and are referred to an outpatient buprenorphine regimen via in-person clinics or via telehealth providers. Currently, it has been shown that patients stay compliant with their medication for less than 6 months. [Since this is the evidence-based answer to the problem of overdoses and deaths, the only thing evident to me is that more questions and answers need to be researched.]
Opioid Settlements: Last Week With John Oliver
Last week, on the John Oliver Show (HBO) he gives us an idea of where the state are spending opioid settlement funds. (1) Opioid Settlements: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - YouTube
Psychiatric Industry and Behavioral Centers Profit From Opioid Crisis
"Psychiatric Industry and Behavioral Centers Profit From Opioid Crisis" by Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International, alerts us to the possibility that everything is not quite as it seems.
A Consumer's Guide to research on substance use disorders
In "A Consumer's Guide to research on substance use disorders" by Jason Schwartz, questions which should be asked and considered regarding the effective of treatments, are discussed in and 8 part series.
Addiction: the Whole Family Gets to Play
"Addiction: the whole family gets to play" by Dr. David McCartney discusses how family members suffer along with the addict and they how they felt secluded from treatment decisions. The family everyday lives have been wholly shaped and controlled by their loved one's drug and/or alcohol use, often over many years.
NYS County Opioid Quarterly Report April 2024
In the most recent NYS Opioid Quarterly Report by County - April 2024, statistics showed that:
- From 2018-2022, there were 336 deaths from all drugs, 265 from opioids
- In 2022, there were 77 overdose deaths, 65 involving opioids
- In 2021, there were 75 deaths from opioids and 11 from cocaine.
- In 2020, there were 80 deaths, 59 deaths from opioids.
- In 2022, there were 118 outpatient emergency room visits and 32 hospitalizations involving opioid related overdose
- In 2022, there were 1003 admissions to a treatment program for any opioid.
Note that these statistics do not include all deaths by overdose, only the ones they are recorded.
Comprehensive plan to promote retention from NYS OASAS
In this new data bulletin dated June 2024, no. 2024-03, OASAS discusses the number of deaths from accidental overdose relative to those in Substance Use Disorder treatment.
Are Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Drugs Robbing People of Their Recovery?
In his article, "Are Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Drugs Robbing People of Their Recovery?", John Giordano discusses whether we are helping people through MAT or extending their addiction.