The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) long ago identified methadone as the gold standard for opioid use disorder in Georgia. But, don’t be misled by those words: While the people who address addiction issues from Atlanta to Savannah and throughout the state have long recognized the benefits of methadone treatment, Suboxone has also been recognized as an ...
methadone maintenance and Sober Living
What happens to people in a methadone maintenance program, but have no place to live where they can work to rebuild a healthier life? Many people come from environments rife with violence. Many have lived in a home where one or more other family members are still doing drugs, and they can’t go back to that. There are also many cases involving a person with opiate addiction who simply has no home ...
Heroin Use and Stars That Fell to Earth
Every generation has its own celebrities whose deaths are mourned because they were the bright and shining stars of that generation’s collective firmament. Heroin use destroys many people, and more than a few of them are among the celebrated famous. They stand out to us because they captivated our imaginations, and our hearts, with their God-given talents. There have been many stars who tumbled to ...
Drug Court and Addiction Treatment in Georgia
It’s not that drug courts don’t try to help people. They do try, and they help many people. But considering the numbers of people who die despite taking advantage of addiction treatment in Georgia, the drug court there isn't doing much. Elaine Pawlowski blogging for The Huffington Post isn’t writing specifically about addiction treatment in Georgia, but about the problems with drug court in ...
Prescription Opiates: How much is too much?
One of the biggest challenges facing the doctors and other prescribers who order prescription opiates for their patients in pain is choosing the right dose. Despite heightened awareness of the dangers of prescription pain pills, many doctors continue to write for them because they simply don’t want their patients to go about in pain. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ...
Naloxone in the Neighborhood: Thanks Walgreens!
It’s always gratifying when a chain of stores sticks its neck out to offer a genuine community service to its customers. This time it’s Walgreens, the happy and healthy neighborhood pharmacy stores. Its managers are supporting naloxone programs for drug addiction rehabilitation in California, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Maryland, and 34 other states, plus the District of Columbia. Walgreens will join ...