Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

medically assisted treatment by Waismann Method
Substance use disorder is notoriously hard to treat. Research has shown that most patients treated for alcohol or opioid use disorder relapse within one year. One major problem is that treatment quality and accessibility vary. Medically assisted treatment for opioid use disorder is clinically proven to treat substance dependence and set patients on a favorable [...]

Opioid Addiction vs Opioid Dependence: Two Very Different Sides of Opioid Use Disorder

Addiction and dependence are two specific conditions resulting from opioid abuse. Opioid addiction causes different signs and symptoms than physical dependence, and each medical condition requires different treatment approaches. While these two conditions are independent of one another, it is possible – and even common – for people to suffer from addiction and physical dependence […]

Dental Care and Opioid Use Disorder – A Shocking Connection

Dental Care and Opioid Use Disorder

The opioid epidemic is a complex problem affecting much of America. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 128 people die every day because of opioid overdoses. In 2017, an estimated 1.7 million people fell victim to a prescription opioid use disorder. The opioid crisis has led many healthcare and government leaders looking for […]

Can Opioid Use Disorder be Avoided with Clever Ads?

The Opioid Crisis - Truth Initiative

What will it take to staunch the opioid epidemic currently gripping American communities? No one would argue that single stand-alone interventions will work. However, a growing number of people are putting a lot of hope into riveting new advertisements. The intent is to break the stigma of opioid dependency – and showcase the harsh reality […]

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (OUD) – Ignoring the Solution

How is it that nearly one in three people know someone who is or was suffering from opioid addiction, yet the current model of intervention for such a common problem is so ineffective? Why are people still allowed to suffer unnecessarily while putting their well-being at dire risk as they await appropriate opioid use disorder […]

Opioid Use Disorder and Available Treatment Options

As the opioid epidemic is ravaging lives across our nation, it is also gaining mainstream attention. Opioid treatment options are becoming more available. However, with all the attention directed towards the opioid epidemic comes many questions and misinformation. Families across the country wonder if their loved one suffers from opioid use disorder. Accurately identifying the […]

Opioid Use Disorder – Signs of Abuse, Risks and Overdose

Opioid use disorder; pill bottle spilling out opioids

With rising rates of opioid abuse across the country, there remains an unfortunate lack of education about the signs of opioid misuse and risk for overdose. In 2015, an estimated 2 million people in the United States struggled with abuse of prescription painkillers, while another 591,000 suffered from a heroin use disorder. Collectively, these opioid […]

What is Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioid Use Disorder DSM-5

The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and the media has been reporting on the problem. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misconception about patterns of opioid use, the difference between opioid addiction and dependence, and what is considered opioid use disorder. Understanding these distinctions is essential to make informed policy […]

Beyond Shame and Judgment: Embracing Medical Care in Opioid Addiction Recovery

A graphic of a patient in a hospital ICU bed with a doctor and medical assistant, representing a medical detox theme for opioid addiction recovery, emphasizing the medical care involved in the sedation-assisted detox treatment.

In the intricate and often misunderstood journey of addiction recovery, one of the most formidable barriers is not just the physical withdrawal from substances like opioid drugs, but the heavy burden of shame and judgment. This societal stigma not only exacerbates the emotional turmoil faced by individuals but also significantly hinders their willingness to seek […]