Monday, April 20, 2015

You see what I mean, even effective treatment can be done wrong




Methadone is a very effective treatment, substantially tested by SAMHSA and other federal agencies as well as university.  Still some doctors can do it wrong because they do not read up on the way the protocol is suppose to be administered.  This is not a rare condition amongs mental health practitioners who often claims to be practicing, for example Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the practitioners is not familiar with the research nor has ever taken a course in the use of the methodology.  At best the practitioner may have read a book, but it is not totally familiar with all of what is suppose to be known. So often they practice the protocol wrong.  Dr. B here gives us some ideas of how that might happen.


 

by janaburson
aaaasplit dose
Recently I’ve had patients write to my blog describing how their opioid treatment program doctors are using methadone blood levels to determine the correct dose. What they described to me was worrisome; patients’ doses rarely need to be checked with methadone peak or trough blood levels. Due to tolerance, a methadone blood level may be adequate for one patient, but far too low for other patients.
A patient’s dose of methadone needs to be determined on clinical grounds. This can include the patient’s description of withdrawal symptoms and their timing related to dosing, physical exam just before the patient is due for a dose, and evaluation of the patient three to four hours after dosing. It may also include an evaluation of ongoing illicit opioid use, other medical issues, and other medication or illicit drug use.
Opioid treatment program physicians rarely need to check methadone blood levels. I usually check peak and trough blood levels when I suspect a patient may be a fast metabolizer who may do better with split dosing. In such a case, the patient describes feeling fine for the first part of the day but in awful withdrawal by night time, despite taking a relatively higher dose. Then if the patient’s peak (highest level) is twice the trough (lowest level) I know they may feel better with twice a day dosing. Certain medications can induce the metabolism of methadone, making the patient metabolize methadone more quickly and drop the blood level. Often in this situation, split dosing helps.
I cringe when patients say things like, “my doctor checks a methadone blood level on everyone when they get to 80mg to see if they need to increase the dose or not.” For the vast majority of patients, getting this blood level won’t be helpful. If it’s used to determine the patient’s dose, it could be harmful. Many patients will still feel withdrawal while dosing at 80mg, even though they may have what would be considered a moderate blood level.
Our patients are tolerant to opioids. For this reason, methadone patients who are doing well, feel fine and have normal lives can have so-called “toxic” blood levels of methadone. A level that would kill someone unaccustomed to methadone may be just what my patient needs.
Some doctors think all opioid addicts want to go higher on their methadone dose than they need, and that these addicts would want limitless dose escalations unless the doctor stops this. In some patients, addiction may drive the addict to ask for dose increases even when not needed. Addiction often tells the patient “more is better.”
I’ve seen this problem too, but not as often as one might expect. More often, I’m the one advocating for a higher methadone dose. Don’t get me wrong, I do want to use the lowest effective dose. Some patients, due to fear of methadone and the stigma against it, are afraid to increase their dose. I point out that studies show patients do the best in methadone treatment if they are on a high enough dose to block the withdrawal symptoms and block the euphoria from other opioids. Particularly if the patient is still using illicit opioids, I recommend a dose increase.
Lab tests aren’t an adequate substitute for talking to the patient and examine the patient. As we used to say when I was in medical school, about a billion years ago, “Treat the patient, not the lab result.”
 
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Friday, April 17, 2015

What? Methadone and Suboxone is Substance Use Medical Treatment

     Methadone patients need not to apologist.


     Here is a treatment for Opiate 'Addiction' that have highly criticize and consider controversial by the 12 Step and most abstinent based residential rehabilitation facilities.  Of course most of these people who criticize these medically assisted recovery are science illiterates who wouldn't no the difference between efficiency and safety and what really does  not work.  They do not know about Confirmation Bias http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias the basic reason why we need to do research.  You see when you think you know something for sure that gets in the way of discovery and exploration. An attitude require for most scientific oriented minds.  Most doctors practice discovery or looking for the reason of your ailments or symptoms.   Correlation Illusion  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_correlation  is another reason why research is necessary. You see most of these individuals and a substantial amount of professionals in mental health practice and make claims which are based on Face value (or Validity   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_validity
Most people operate on the illusion that because it appears to be a good idea or a claim seem to be true, it most be true.  Although this is so sometimes, it is not all of the time.  Face value is good to develop hypothesis to be tested but by itself has a lot of room for error and in fact it is frequently

Clinical judgment in psychology and mental health is frequently inaccurate, in fact too many are right down faliable

The lack of science and ignoring evidence based treatment is keeping mental health and substance use in the stone age.

No body cares about alcoholics and drug addicts.  Enough misinformation is enough

There are tons of science based information, why is it being ignored by mainstream mental health and substance use treatment staff. I believe that when treatment is not based on medical science. Other types of treatment that has never been proven to be effective and safe is considered malpractice. In the law of torts, malpractice is an "instance of negligence or incompetence on the part of a professional".  In fact most of these science based information is published by the federal government, yet  the public and potential patients are missing the facts because it is not being provided.

 The State Methadone Treatment Guidelines were first printed and published in 1993. The methadone treatment facilities ran by Miami Dade Office of Rehabilitation Services were oblivious of its existence.  when I brought it to their attention the supervisors response was "Oh, they are only guidelines" obviously he most have thought that the ignorance of science is bliss. Eventually, Miami DADE COUNTY ORS finally stopped providing this type of treatment in favor of the religious indoctrination of alcoholics anonymous.  A program that when it was first implemented in the late 1970 and 80 had not been tested for effectiveness and safety (read Why Bogus Treatment appears to work. A problem that is widely connected with mental health and substance use treatment.
http://www.ctcertboard.org/files/TIP1.pdf


Why Bogus Treatment Appears to Work
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/why_bogus_therapies_seem_to_work/

 Why are attorneys missing out on this area of malpractice can only be because they are just as prejudice, and bigots.

 Here is a treatment that is outright effective and safe and seems like patients have to beg and hope that they will be accepted.


THE ARE NO REASON FOR ANY METHADONE OR SUBOXONE PATIENT TO BE APOLOGETIC.  THIS TREATMENT WORKS AND IMPROVE PEOPLE LIFE.



Original article appeared in:
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tessie-castillo/methadone-and-buprenorphi_b_7070438.html


Methadone and Buprenorphine 101: A Guide for Law Enforcement

Posted: 04/15/2015 10:41 am EDT Updated: 04/15/2015 10:59 am EDT
2015-04-15-1429108806-3326286-images1.jpg
Lately, with all the talk about rising rates of opioid use and addiction, we are hearing more about opioid treatment programs (OTPs). OTPs provide opioid-dependent patients with behavioral therapy and medication, such as methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine), sometimes called medication assisted therapy, (MAT), to control cravings for illicit opioids and help them resume normal lives. Although opioid treatment programs have been around for decades with verified results, information about these programs can be confusing for members of law enforcement and communities. Do these medications cause driving impairment? How do OTPs affect the criminal justice system? What safeguards are in place to prevent abuse?
To get some answers, I spoke with Tad Clodfelter, PsyD, President and CEO of SouthLight Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina. SouthLight provides behavioral health care and treatment for addiction and mental illness, including methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatment for opioid dependence. Here are some of his answers to law enforcement FAQs on opioid treatment programs.
What are OTPs?
Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) combine behavioral care services with the delivery of medications that help control cravings for opioids. OTPs are the only FDA recommended treatment for opioid dependence. They are historically equated with methadone treatment, but over the past 5-10 years these programs have evolved to include other methods of medication assisted treatment (MAT), such as Suboxone (buprenorphine).
What is the difference between methadone and Suboxone?
Suboxone and Methadone are both synthetic opioids and used to treat patients with opioid dependency or addiction; however, they are not necessarily used interchangeably, and there are differences in their effects. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the brain to take away the physiological cravings for opioid drugs and abuse, allowing the person to function well in their day-to-day lives without being intoxicated, hold down a job and reclaim their families. Methadone is typically given to persons with heavy opiate habits. Suboxone is a partial agonist that affords similar results, also allowing people to resume normal lives. Different people respond better to one versus the other of these effective medications.
Can OTP medications be abused?

Methadone and Suboxone can be abused and diverted, but are far less likely to be than street opioids or prescription pain medications. OTPs have tight restrictions to limit the likelihood of diversion. SouthLight has a good track record of preventing abuse, as do many reputable clinics.
What are the safeguards in place to prevent diversion and abuse?
At Suboxone clinics the staff do pill counts. Sometimes they have patients come back to the clinic and bring in their pills, which are counted to make sure the patient hasn't taken more than their prescribed dose. With methadone, the patients come to the treatment facility daily to receive their dose under staff supervision. Once they have demonstrated commitment to the program and established a good track record, they earn the privilege of taking home medication in a locked box. The person is mandated to return the medication any time there is any suspicion or concern that they might be abusing it. OTPs check for suspicious behavior using urine drug testing, observing any changes in behavior, and checking the Controlled Substance Reporting System to see if the person might be getting other prescriptions from doctors that might be a concern. A person can qualify for take-home doses after 3 months, but that privilege can be taken away for noncompliance.
Do OTP medications cause driving impairment?
Not when taken as prescribed. Someone leaving a methadone or Suboxone clinic who has just taken their normal dose should not have trouble driving. In a clinic setting, patients are observed closely. A patient is not allowed to leave the clinic if a concern, i.e., intoxication, ever exists.
Do OTPs just substitute one addiction for another?
No. Methadone or Suboxone is essential in opioid treatment. These medications, in combination with evidence-based behavioral therapies, are the FDA-recommended standards of care for opioid dependence. In essence, medication assisted therapy substitutes a controlled synthetic opiate for opiate drugs of abuse. The scientific, medical literature is clear in recommending these treatments for opioid dependence. Why? Sustained or long-term opiate use chemically alters the brain and negatively impacts the sensitivity of the body's opioid receptors. In order to begin the recovery process from opioid addiction, medication assisted or replacement therapy is critical to healing the brain and body. Further, the number of opioid dependent persons who can successfully quit drug use "cold turkey" is extremely low due to intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which are part of the opioid dependence syndrome. MAT is used to sustain a person and prevent relapse as well.
At SouthLight Healthcare, we serve 400 people at any given time and have a good track record of solid results during and after treatment. The standard of care works very well if treatment regimens are adhered to by patients. Of course, treatment doesn't work flawlessly in every case, but neither does treatment for any chronic, relapsing disease, which substance dependence is. As such, opioid dependence, like other chronic, relapsing medical disorders, requires a combination of treatments, including medication and behavioral modification or change, in order to achieve impactful and sustained treatment results.
What are some of the benefits of OTPs for patients and the community?

OTPs benefit the communities they serve in tremendous and deep reaching ways, many of which are below the radar. They are real and tangible. The vast majority of our clients are in the workforce with documented jobs, paying taxes and giving back to the community. When people are in treatment and stable and reclaiming or simply living their lives, jobs and families, they are less likely to encounter the criminal justice system. That is a major cost savings to society. Our jails are filled with people who are addicted or mentally ill or both; many have committed nonviolent crimes. Such citizens are better served by treatment, which helps them to mend relationships and realize professional goals - the things that makes life worth living.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists the following benefits of methadone treatment (MMT): http://www.cdc.gov/idu/facts/MethadoneFin.pdf
• reduced or stopped use of injection drugs; 
• reduced risk of overdose and of acquiring or transmitting diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B or C, bacterial infections, endocarditis, soft tissue infections, thrombophlebitis, tuberculosis, and STDs;
• reduced mortality - the median death rate of opiate-dependent individuals in MMT is 30 percent of the rate of those not in MMT;
• possible reduction in sexual risk behaviors, although evidence on this point is conflicting;
• reduced criminal activity;
• improved family stability and employment potential; and
• improved pregnancy outcomes.
Cost savings
• the annual costs of methadone maintenance treatment are much lower than the annual costs of either untreated heroin use, incarceration or drug-free treatment programs
• criminal activities related to heroin use resulted in social costs that were four times higher than the cost of methadone maintenance treatment;http://www.chodarr.org/node/1398
• for every dollar spent on methadone maintenance treatment there is a savings to the community of between US$4-$13.


This service is being provided by the South FLORIDA Chapter of NAMA  National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery  

at http://www.methadone.org 

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The Stigma Must Stop

Anti-drug czar: 'Every life is worth saving'

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COVINGTON – The stigma of drug addiction, the stigma of using medicine to treat it, the stigma of needle exchange and the idea that a life-saving drug shouldn't be used for overdose victims all need to end.
Michael Botticelli, the director of White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, delivered these messages when he visited Northern Kentucky on Thursday.
Botticelli made it clear while at the Metropolitan Club in Covington at the invitation of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that he is in favor of using naloxone to save lives. The non-narcotic blocks the effects of heroin or prescription painkillers and can restore breathing in overdose victims.
"Every life is worth saving," Botticelli told an audience member who questioned whether the drug enables addicts to continue to use heroin. He added that there is no indication that drug addicts will feel safer using heroin because they have access to naloxone.
Botticelli urged a holistic approach, providing both prevention lessons to young children and families and using every treatment and counseling option to help addicts.
He lauded the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's efforts in the regional heroin fight saying he knows of no other chamber in the nation that has stepped forward to help manage the crisis.
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he brought Botticelli to the region to learn about its plight with the opioid and heroin epidemic that is plaguing the nation and, particularly, coursing through Northern Kentucky.
"I am here with the director of drug control policy (appointed by President Barack Obama) because this is beyond partisan debate," the Senate majority leader told chamber members, families advocating recovery, treatment and public health officials at the event.
Listing statistic after statistic, from the tripling of St. Elizabeth Healthcare's emergency care of overdose victims since 2011 to Kentucky's 1,049 lost lives to overdoses in 2013, McConnell said, "In Northern Kentucky, we're at the epicenter" of the crisis with heroin and prescription painkiller addiction.
Earlier in the day, Botticelli was given a private tour of St. Elizabeth Healthcare – Edgewood, where he visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to see newborns with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. He heard from Dr. Lynn Saddler, director of the Northern Kentucky Health Department; Jason Merrick, chairman of Northern Kentucky People Advocating Recover; Bonnie Hedrick, coordinator of the NKY Prevention Alliance and others who have joined in the local fight against heroin.
They said Botticelli offered ideas on how they can tap into federal funds available for community substance abuse prevention and support.
In an exclusive interview with The Enquirer, Botticelli said drug courts, treatment centers and corrections systems need to provide medicine assisted treatment, and not just abstinence programs.
"Evidence is strikingly clear that people with opioid disorder do remarkably better with medication assisted treatment – along with counseling," Botticelli told The Enquirer. "It's our hope that medication assisted treatment is the standard of care."
Toward that end, the anti-drug czar said, his office has changed its policy – and has made the inclusion of medicine assisted treatment a condition for state drug courts to receive federal funds.
Kentucky has come under criticism because its drug courts – with the exception of Pulaski County's – require abstinence. Judges even require addicts who have been prescribed medicine for their addiction to taper off of it as a condition of remaining in drug court. But Northern Kentucky drug courts are primarily funded by the state. Only a few counties – none in Northern Kentucky – use federal funds, and that is for training, according to the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts.
Botticelli said the federal government is also urging treatment centers to use "every option" available to treat those with addiction, and noted that for opioid and heroin addicts, scientific evidence shows medicine-assisted treatment often works best.
Kimberly Wright of Cold Spring, an activist in the heroin fight and mother of a daughter who is a recovering heroin addict, said she hopes that Kentucky listens to the message.
"We need medicine assisted treatment in Kentucky drug courts. We need an overhaul of our rehabs (to include it)," Wright said.
Joan Arlinghaus, a member of NKY People Advocating Recovery, believes Botticelli's visit was valuable for the region.
"I think it will raise a lot of awareness," she said, "and erase some of the stigma that comes with addiction."
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