Florida Making Progress in Addressing Opioid Epidemic through Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs

Los Angeles, California -

Florida is making progress in addressing the opioid epidemic with different drug rehabilitation programs that are focused on medication-assisted treatment. The medication-assisted treatment combines medications with psychosocial counseling, also known as behavioral therapy, in order to help stabilize the condition of addicted individuals.

This type of program is currently being implemented in many parts of the country in light of the current epidemic also known as the opioid crisis. In Florida, approximately 77 percent of patients in each program successfully completed their medication-assisted treatment.

There are three types of medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid dependence. These are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. The last one is an extended-release medication that is used for longer-lasting effects. Medical professionals working in treatment facilities prescribe and monitor these medications to slowly detox the patients and limit their drug dependence.

When used under a comprehensive treatment program, these medications can help addicted individuals move toward the path of recovery.

These substance abuse treatment programs target those who have struggled with drug use for years, even decades. But those who have been addicted to prescription opioids are equally at risk of overdose, and so the medication-assisted treatment programs can help them as well.

The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association or FADAA addresses the barriers that hinder patients’ access to addiction treatment by using a comprehensive approach. The FADAA’s approach involves providing technical assistance and training for enrolled providers, as well as reimbursement for patient screenings, medical assessments, etc, for patients who receive medication-assisted treatment.

This makes drug rehab accessible, especially to those who are struggling financially and cannot deal with the costs of treatment.

The FADAA program is currently available for patients eligible for publicly-funded behavioral health services, especially those who are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system, and those who received a court order to get community-based substance abuse treatment. The goal is to expand the reach of this program to tackle the opioid crisis on a larger scale.

For those who have been struggling with addiction for years, this type of program could be the thing that helps them turn their life around. Addiction affects everyone differently, but with proper treatment, affected individuals can start rebuilding relationships, finding new hobbies, becoming productive, and channeling their energy towards healthier activities.

The challenge that Florida is facing, which is also true for many other parts of the country, is that despite the proven success of medication-assisted treatment programs, only 41 percent of drug rehab programs in the US are offering it.

Less than three percent offer all three types of medication-assisted treatment. There are also other obstacles such as limits on coverage and reimbursement. There is also the stigma associated with seeking treatment in the first place. Many people still don’t consider addiction as a medical condition, despite opioid addiction becoming a widespread epidemic by now.

Florida has some of the highest opioid overdose rates in the country, with opioid-related deaths increasing by 35 percent between 2015 and 2016. Florida hospitals treated approximately 18,000 opioid overdoses in 2017, and this number is still growing each year. Opioid-related treatment costs exceeded $1 billion dollars.

This epidemic has dominated headlines in the state for a long time, and it has brought some much-needed attention to a very serious issue.

Despite these obstacles and challenges, there is no doubt that progress is being made, and there is hope for the future. Florida’s program can serve as a model for addiction treatment, as the nation moves forward. View Rehab Near Me company data here. Don't wait, call now to start the journey.