She said her practice often sees the outcomes of patients who encounter hurdles when trying to take medication.
This happens despite the federal government Recently removed the hurdle for doctors Prescription medications to deal with opioid addiction.
Lowenstein said her latest findings indicate that treatment programs need to be updated to provide services that are in line with the latest evidence.
Unofficially, people who treat patients know which programs work well in Philadelphia Nicole O’DonnellCertified Recovery Specialist at Penn Medicine’s Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy. She helps to guide patients into treatment as part of her work with Careconnect Warmline.
She said of the thousands of patients she and her colleagues saw in their program, most of them were already in care somewhere, but then they either missed an appointment or were jailed, and their treatment was lapsed as they returned to their path to recovery.
“We thought it would be more focused on a fresh start in treatment, but it really becomes a safety net for those who have accessed treatment, then they drop out of treatment for a week or two and again at risk of a fatal overdose,” O’Donnell said.
However, he said there have been further improvements since the time when Loewenstein’s team was conducting research. Denise BotcheosDirector of Behavioral Health Services at Prevention Points to Support Patients with Opioid Addiction in Philadelphia. For example, she said now there’s no need for doctors to explain treatment to patients or persuade them to give them a try.
“There was an incredible fear of withdrawal and extremely sick sediment, so it can take several days for people to get to a place they were ready to do it,” she said. “Now I have more knowledge there and it feels like people are talking to each other.”
