Comments on: Can A Pill Solve Prescription Drug Abuse?

In The Battle Against Drug Addiction, An Unlikely Breakthrough

[jjp735i]

What was left out of the story. Yes,Suboxone does stop the with draw, but try getting it. In the Pittsburgh area drug addicts who use it have to first find a doctor who can perscribe it because they say they need a special license, then the doctors charge the regular examination fee plus another $100.00 to 200.00 per vist for a two week script. They over charge the patient for the Suboxone perscription. But the worst part is the addicts then sell have the script for $10.00 to $15.00 per pill to other users. They use them when they have not had time to rob someone to keep from getting sick. Once they have money on hand they stop taking the Suboxone and do back to their drug of choice. I see it every day.

Tell the full story next time. Do not make it sound like Suboxone is a cure. It''s not.

[feelnormal]

Here''s a list of Doctors that can prescribe SUBOXONE now! It is NOT still in trials it is in the pharmacies now!! It was approved in 2002.

www.NAABT.org/local

Get all the facts, new breakthroughs in science can make ending an addiction possible.

SUBOXONE works for Heroin addiction too!!

[feelnormal]

"My physician is one of a handful approved by the FDA to use Suboxone FOR PAIN..." -last poster

There is NO such FDA approval, ANY doctor can prescribe it off label for pain, they must have the DEA waiver to prescribe it for opioid dependence.

Learn the facts at:

www.NAABT.org

Find help for someone you love who is addicted. The best way you can help is to educate yourself about all available treatments.

Replace myth and rumor with education..

[thomprentice]

Virtually NOTHING in the story nor NOTHING in the comments speak to the ACTUAL newsworthiness of the drug Suboxone: the fact it can and is being used for PAIN rather than addiction.

Suboxone is, in fact, being used for both.

The application to pain (chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, etc.) is within the past year. I switched to Suboxone at my physician''s suggestion from using Methadone (for PAIN not ADDICTION) after having previously changed from expensive Oxycontin to less expensive Methadone for PAIN CONTROL, not addiction.

My physician is one of a handful approved by the FDA to use Suboxone FOR PAIN, NOT DRUG ADDICTION. Most of his patients have switched to Suboxone with no interference from other prn drugs such as hydrocodone.

The chronic pain of Fibromyalgia or cancer is bad enough without being also assumed to be a drug addict simply because medicine developed to help drug users get off drug addition is ALSO apparently being discovered to be an even better agent for pain. ''Tis for me.

Plus it doesn''t stop up the bowels as Oxycontin and Methadone and hydrocodone all do.

[lillianne2]

Can anyone tell me why such addictive pain killers are even prescribed? And do people understand that they can be addictive, before taking them?

[kimmielo2]

First of all, not just "any doctor" can subscribe the medication. The DEA requires that physicians who write prescriptions for the suboxone treatment attend a special training course, and receive a supplemental DEA number. There are very many stringent requirments that the DEA require and the physicians are limited in how many patients that they may treat for the first year. (only 30). After the first year, they can increase their total suboxone patient load to 100. Most physicians are not informed on this type of medication and are not willing to jump through all the hoops that the DEA require to allow this into their practice. Any violations on the record keeping have HUGE fines and many pharmacies have been hit with $25,000 fines for minor errors in DEA audits.

I have stated and find it very ironic that the DEA (a branch of the DOJ) has such huge problems witha drug that has so much good with it, and has fought it every step of the way. Isnt it strange how they dont have any problems with the Methodone clinics (and those are government/state funded). HMMMMMMMM.

[newman4good]

been on suboxone for four months,was taking 10 to 15 lora tabs a day eight ball of coke a day and 2 to four oxys 80mg a day for over three yrs,once i found out about suboxone,i went in to doctors office and got treatment and been clean ever since,id rather be on suboxone and stright and clean with my family the to be back in the cave i lived in for three yrs,
i am a new person for it,thank god,also i turned my sisterinlaw on to suboxone and she since been on it for three months been clean,she has been a life long drug addict for over 40 yrs,,need i say more

[feelnormal]

%u201CIt''''s important to understand that Suboxone is addictive too, and must be tapered off within 14 days.%u201D%u2014last poster

VERY few people become addicted to Suboxone, and there is NO rule that it must be taper off of in 14 days that is a complete fabrication and contrary to the science. 6 months to 1 year is a more appropriate timeframe.

SUBOXONE is a partial agonist (unlike Oxys or all other opioids) and has a ceiling to its effects making overdoses impossible and addiction unlikely. Learn the facts.

Why is this treatment not switching one addiction for another?
http://naabt.org/faq_answers.cfm#33

I. Addiction:
Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving.

II. Physical Dependence:
Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a drug class specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug, and/or administration of an antagonist.
III. Tolerance:

Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drug%u2019s effects over time.


see www.naabt.org for facts and references.

[rivertown22]

It''s important to understand that Suboxone is addictive too, and must be tapered off within 14 days. The FDA needs to regulate Oxycontin and require it be administered in clinical settings only, and absolutely cannot be sold over the counter with a triplicate prescription or any other way. That drug is wiping out more people than anyone realizes. In our city we have lost many young adults to overdoses, and hundreds more are addicted. Kids that were on honor rolls,athletes, kids from doctors, lawyers, judges, and working class families. These kids were planning lives, going to college etc.

People go to doctors complaining of pain and are prescribed the Oxy, they then resell it to kids because it so lucrative. The kids (and adults too) become addicted. Realizing they are hooked, they go online to find help, and end up trying to self medicate with Methadone, not knowing the dangers. Most of them need a clinical detox, but it''s not available, especially for adolescents.

PLEASE KATIE, SHINE SOME LIGHT ON THIS SUBJECT. THE GREED OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY THAT KNOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT DOESN''T CARE IS IMMORAL.

go to www.oxykills.com

[melis11577]

Current statistics show that nearly 4000 people a year die from methadone. These deaths are mostly happening to pain management and detoxification patients%u2019 within the first 10 days of taking initial dose. Most of these deaths are related to methadone prescribed with other medications that react as additives with the methadone. Diversion of methadone is a serious problem because it lands this most deadly drug on streets. Statistics also state that methadone is contributing to more deaths nationwide then heroin and only second to cocaine deaths.

The potential of abuse, diversion, and overdose to new patients being prescribed methadone is overwhelming. The unique properties of methadone, it''s long half life, and it''s negative interaction with numerous drugs make it an optimal choice as a last result treatment for chronic pain and addiction.

Melissa Zuppardi
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths
www.HARMD.org

[melis11577]

We cannot continue to allow a legal medication to be killing more people then the illegal drugs. Our government cannot be allowed to use tax dollars to fund their legal drug dealing operations.

It must be mandatory that all doctors be certified and trained in the pharmacology of methadone; inpatient stays must be required during induction to methadone; all staff be extensively trained in monitoring methadone patients for symptoms of toxicity. Clinic patients should be tested weekly for legal and illegal drugs that are taken with methadone to get %u201C high%u201D or experience %u201Ceuphoria%u201D such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana etc%u2026 and face severe consequences or mandatory detoxification from the methadone program after 3 dirty urines. Selling of take home doses must result in termination from methadone program permanently throughout the U.S. When presenting inebriated at clinic, clinic should also document such activity as well as prevent client from driving. Take home doses for all patients receiving methadone should be eliminated thus preventing the risk of diversion or precautions such as pill safe should be implemented.

www.HARMD.org
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths

[melis11577]

Methadone is now the #2 Killer Drug in the U.S. Methadone is more addictive then any other pain medication including heroin and because of it%u2019s extremely long half life, cardio toxic risks, numerous fatal drug interactions, dosages based on tolerance, and small margin of error.

Every day 10.9 people die from Methadone (according to 2004 stats, not including car accident deaths caused by drivers under the influence of Methadone)

www.HARMD.org
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths

[bostonnama]

Suboxone treatment needs to become more available the poor, while medicaid covers it most private doctors will only accept cash even though they are medicaid providers. In Massachusetts many community health are helping to fill the void of doctors who continue to violate medicaid and medicare regulations. My suggestion to people in Massachusetts is to go to the dept of public health web site and look to see if they have a list of Suboxone providers.
Suboxone saved my life and has made my life of one of staying alone in one room to being a working member of society. Addiction is a brain disease but people still treat us like we are bad people. Would a person with high blood pressure be treated like this. I am lucky to live in a state that believes in medication assisted drug treatment, they believe in it because it works and it is science based. Call the Dept of public healths helpline if you need help with your opioid addiction. Also methadone also does a great job for patients if they are in a clinic that has enough medical personel to monitor patients and get them on a dose that works for them. We need to support science based treatment
Paul B

[bostonnama]

Suboxone treatment needs to become more available the poor, while medicaid covers it most private doctors will only accept cash even though they are medicaid providers. In Massachusetts many community health are helping to fill the void of doctors who continue to violate medicaid and medicare regulations. My suggestion to people in Massachusetts is to go to the dept of public health web site and look to see if they have a list of Suboxone providers.
Suboxone saved my life and has made my life of one of staying alone in one room to being a working member of society. Addiction is a brain disease but people still treat us like we are bad people. Would a person with high blood pressure be treated like this. I am lucky to live in a state that believes in medication assisted drug treatment, they believe in it because it works and it is science based. Call the Dept of public healths helpline if you need help with your opioid addiction. Also methadone also does a great job for patients if they are in a clinic that has enough medical personel to monitor patients and get them on a dose that works for them. We need to support science based treatment
Paul B

[stevenyhc]

Just like to say i have archived this for any future lawsuits.

[jazzygirl11]

Oh, that wat a load of *** on that segment. They totally neglected to tell you that the Suboxone is as addicting as the opiates, if not more, and I have been trying to get off the Suboxone for 6 months already! Also, I was under the impression that only certain Doctors could prescribe Suboxone, but apparently this is a great way for the drug companies to make money by letting any doctor prescribe it

[Redoubt]

Here we go again blaming an inanimate object for poor human behavior. Just so you don''t miss the point...

Prescription drugs are not eeville. It takes a human being to abuse them... it takes a human to disobey doctor''s orders. Most drugs, by themselves, never harmed a soul. In fact, if you had them over for dinner, you''d never know they were subject to being vilified by the media.

Yes, it''s true. Guns do not kill people and prescription drugs do not abuse themselves. No free rides for those too weak willed to follow dosing instrcutions or those who hold a treat a loaded gun like a toy.

[feelnormal]

SUBOXONE

Free downloads

Discussion board

Doctor list

www.NAABT.org non-profit patient education site

[bostonnama]

SUBOXONE IS A GREAT DRUG AND HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR A FEW MONTHS AND FEEL GREAT, HAVE TO SAY THOUGH MRTHADONE SAVED MY LIFE AND NEVER GOT ME HIGH. TRY YO FIND A DOCTORS WHO CAN GIVE YOU SUBOXONE IS VERY HARD TO DO AND MANY OF THEM DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT ADDICTION AND ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE. THE KNOW PEOPLE WILL GIVE THEM CASH BECAUSE MOST PATIENTS DO NOT KNOW THAT IT IS COVERED BY MOST INSURANCES. DOCTORS MANY OF THEM NOT ALL FEEL THIS IS A WAY TO GET CASH AND NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WILL PAY THEM. I THINK IF THE STATES WOULD FINE THESE DOCTORS FOR TAKING CASH WHEN THEY COULD BILL INSURANCE WOULD HELP MANY PATIENTS AFFORD THIS TREATMENT
BOSTON PATIENT

[feelnormal]

Anyone looking for a doctor near them that can prescribe SUBOXONE goto www.naabt.org/local

Or if you just want information to learn about it:
www.FeelNormal.org

It works!!