opiate_recovery

yeah it's gross. i'm 100% for just giving actual pure opiates out for free to addicts that don't yet want to get clean.

in a lot of ways it would be safer. clean, known dose, less theft to pay for drugs, less violence no cartels

i believe it's 100% because of stigma and 'values preaching' and the history of methadone

buprenorphine + naloxone is nothing like methadone

suboxone has few to none of the externalities of methadone

just in general with drugs and treatment we would be so much better off if those who force their personal values upon others had some sympathy and compassion

Bupe + naloxone doesn't give any buzz and it blocks you from getting high from other opiates. i guess maybe if you were opiate naive maybe it would IDK. but that would be really dumb to take if you want to get high take the real shit

Definitely can from methadone especially mixed with a benzo

for sure people sell it but they're going to use with or without it.

studies have shown that those who don't get long time sober and do replacement therapy on and off nonetheless have longer periods of abstinence and lower death time frames (not sure how to phrase that they dont die as much/soon)

This is the key from my perspective: "Moreover, as of 2008, three-quarters of those with opioid use disorder were receiving medication-assisted treatment. Though that’s considered the best approach, less than half of Americans who could benefit from medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction receive it."

Buprenorphine has saved my life and I wish everyone could have access to it and that it would be provided for free. Pay for it from grabbing back cash from the Sackler's.

I'm surprised in the article the phrase 'less than half' which sounds like it's on the higher end towards 50.

I would have guessed much lower. I can't find a great source but this has some numbers [1]. Says only 36% of rehabs have access to at least one replacement therapy.

And that's people who can access rehab...

To be able to prescribe Suboxone - from what my Dr. has told me - MDs have to have a specific DEA certificate. And they limit the number of patients one single Dr. can treat at a few hundred.

In my state there aren't many prescribers - not nearly enough for the number of addicts. And I live in a liberal state.

It's easier for Drs to dole out opiates than prescribe buprenorphine.

We can also learn from Portugal in more community and healthcare intervention.

The big problem here to get there is that DAs, sheriffs, mayors are elected and there are 50 states. We will need to shift public opinion everywhere to make meaningful progress outside of big cities. Plus with Barr's Justice Department catholic radicalization who knows what happens if they get another 4 years.

It's gross that in America those who are poor, BIPOC, are far more likely to have their lives ruined by unequal drug prosecutions.

If we ever start treating addiction not prosecuting it, I hope we'll do better than marijuana and clear old records/convictions for small drug possession.

https://nam.edu/improving-access-to-evidence-based-medical-t...