FDA Approves First Drug-Oozing Implant to Control Addiction

[inanna]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — May 26, 2016, 3:26 PM ET

Federal health officials have approved an innovative new option for Americans addicted to heroin and painkillers: a drug-oozing implant that curbs craving and withdrawal symptoms for six months at a time.

The first-of-a-kind device, Probuphine, arrives as communities across the U.S. grapple with a wave of addiction tied to opioids, highly-addictive drugs that include legal medications like OxyContin and illegal narcotics like heroin.

The implant is essentially a new delivery system for the drug buprenorphine, which has long been used to treat opioid addiction. But its implantable form could help patients avoid relapses that can occur if they miss a dose of medication.

More than 2.5 million Americans are addicted to opioids, according to federal estimates. But less than half are receiving medication-based treatment to help control the problem.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fda-approves-drug-oozing-implant-control-addiction-39406713

[jwirr]

1. Some of the medications to help with addiction can be a

means to a new addiction - methadone - I have neighbors who are now using that the same way they did the opiods. I would like to know more about this one. My grandson is trying his damnedest to stop completely but it is not easy.

[bjobotts]

2. Methadone withdrawal worse than heroin withdrawal by far.Methadone meets the physical

addiction body cravings but does not provide a high like heroin does. It's easily causes overdose because users take more of it looking for a high like what heroin provides but methadone doesn't provide the high...just satisfies the physical addiction,. Works really well for long term pain relief since there is no high associated with it and is felt more when not taken than when taken. But withdrawals are life threatening and much worse than withdrawing from Heroin.

[bjobotts]

3. Drugs need to be legalized and addiction centers set up around the country to provide use and help

[Jesus Malverde]

6. Sorry to hear about your grandson

Good vibes....his way.

[trudyco]

9. I am so sorry to hear about your grandson

He is very brave to strive to kick the addiction. I hope he comes through. Warm thoughts going out to you and him.

[jwirr]

10. Thank you.

[Warpy]

4. It would probably be cheaper to give them a clean supply of their drug of choice

and likely more effective. A pilot program in the UK in the late 70s-80s found that half the "hard core addicts" in the program had tapered themselves completely off the drugs when the program was ended in 10 years. During that time, street crime in the areas where it was tried decreased 80%. Those are amazing statistics and the best case for legalization I can make.

No rehab program can boast a 50% cure rate, not even when Jesus is substituted for drugs. Giving drug dependent people control over their dependencies is often all they need to start dealing with the dependency instead of focusing on the anxiety around getting a sufficient supply of the drug.

We obviously need to try something other than the punitive approach. All that has given us is more drugs, worse drugs, more crime, more gangs, and more preventable death.

[zalinda]

5. Here's a two cents on that.

I have had problems sleeping my entire life. I can't remember why, but I was given a script for Ambien. It was the first good night's sleep I had in decades. I treasured every one of them. When I got down to my last 2 or 3, I started to panic. I felt real terror at the thought of not having them any more.

I am wondering if an addict kind of goes through the same type of thing, but takes it one step further and keeps getting more so they don't run out. If there is a continuous supply, wouldn't the panic subside? Wouldn't it be easier to taper off knowing that it's there if you need it?

Any way, just a thought.

Z

[Jesus Malverde]

7. With heroin there is a mental component

The physical illness is what keeps them going. Imagine if you had the worst flu and you knew how to cure it instantly. It would be hard to resist.

[Warpy]

8. I think that's exactly what happened

They've found in hospitals that patients who control their own IV morphine after surgery use a lot less than if they have to ask a nurse to get their medication. Control is often key to decreasing the anxiety that leads to addictive type behavior.

They've also discovered that people in early withdrawal feel better as soon as they get a new supply but before they actually ingest it.

There are so many reasons iron fisted control and the punitive approach just don't work. As you also pointed out, they contribute to the problem by increasing anxiety about obtaining a supply.

[trudyco]

11. That's really interesting

Thank you for sharing this study. I had never heard of it before. It's always great to hear encouraging news.