Opioid Education and Medical-Assisted Treatment Programs: OPIOID CRISIS 1
Opioid Education and Medical-Assisted Treatment Programs
Tyler Ledford
Liberty University
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Abstract
In 2015, the lives of 42,000 people were claimed due to opioid overdoses (Corely, J, 2018). This
outnumbers car crashes and gun-related deaths and has led to an epidemic also known as an
opioid crisis. Opioids area type of drug that is derived from, or a synthetic version of, opium.
“Opioids are commonly used for controlling pain such as postoperative pain, chronic cancer and
non-cancer pain. However, their use often results in substantial risk for misuse, abuse, and
alternative use with associated adverse outcomes” (Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education, 2017).
The best way to combat this crisis is to further educate professionals on preventing addiction and
to help individuals who are addicted get the treatments necessary to have a successful recovery.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) offers the most thorough approach to helping individuals
have a chance of a successful recovery. MAT offers a “whole patient” approach to treatment,
which includes medicines, counseling in church programs, as well as behavioral therapies
(Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment, n.d.). Opioid abuse should not be seen solely as a
medical issue impacting an individual, but as a social issue due to the affect it has on families,
neighbors, and communities. Helping one is helping all.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that block pain and provide a feeling of pleasure.
Opiates which are similar in structure lock into the same receptors in the brain that endorphins
use (Nevid, J, 2018). The change in the chemistry of the brain leads to a drug tolerance, which
means that overtime a stronger dose is needed to have the same effect even after a person no
longer needs a medical prescription. The leads to misuse and averting to illicit drugs, such as
heroin, that are gained illegally. 75 percent of heroin abusers got their start from prescribed
medication (Corely, J, 2018). That shows a substantial link between doctor prescribed
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medications leading to abuse of opioids. Furthering education on how to better manage pain in
patients, as well as better use of prescribing these medications such as reducing the number of
opioids in a prescription or prescribing an alternative can significantly help combat this crisis. It
is prevention and prevention is the best medicine.
Helping those already addicted is the next necessary step. Both prescription and illicit
opioids, including heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl, contribute
to the fatal overdose epidemic (Clark, A, 2014). When someone is experiencing an overdose, a
cascade of events occurs: breathing slows, oxygen in the blood as well as in the organs decreases
and within minutes unconsciousness, brain damage, coma, and death may follow (Harm
Reduction Coalition, 2013). Medication-assisted treatments (MAT) can play a key role in
helping individuals in both physiological and psychological way. The medication-assisted part
of MAT includes drugs such as nalaxone, a Food and Drug Administration-approved medication
which, if administered in time, has the potential to reverse the opioid overdoses, allowing
individuals to receive the necessary treatment they need (Clark, A, 2014). It is not a miracle
drug: it does not cure a person with an addiction to opioids. It reverses the effects of an overdose.
“Reversing an overdose with naloxone buys healthcare providers another opportunity to provide
treatment, and we know that with adequate time, treatment works” (Clark, A, 2014). “Other
drugs such as methadone or buprenorphine can decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings”
(Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment, n.d.). These drugs work in similar fashion, in which
they target the same receptors in the brain as other opioids, but they do not produce the same
high feeling. These drugs allow the brain to heal while your work towards recovery.
Medications are not the only part of the MAT program. Counseling is large part of a
recovery, such as individual counseling, as well as group counseling. Group counseling has been
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successful in many other forms of counseling. In the U.S. churches have opened their doors to
such programs such as Celebrate Recovery and Narcotics Anonymous, programs to find
assistance and to gather for support. “Addressing the root of opioid addiction is one of the most
effective long-term solutions, which for Christians, starts in the heart” (Stetzer, E, 2018). The
church views those struggling this disease as not just a program of the church, but as children of
a God who loves them no matter their condition. “America’s recovery can find roots in the local
church” (Stetzer, E ,2018). Programs in communities' churches must share stories from people in
recovery, along with devastating stories of individuals who have lost their lives to this disease.
This is key in preventing and educating the community on the dangers of this opioid crisis. These
church programs can offer steps and paths to restoration both physically and spiritually (Stetzer,
E, 2018).
Behavioral therapy is a broad term for types of therapy that treat mental health disorders.
This form of therapy seeks to identify and help change unhealthy behaviors. Cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of behavioral therapies that has found success in addiction
recovery. CBT helps you recognize and stop negative patterns of thinking and behavior.
Teaching coping skills, including how to manage stress and to change the thoughts that may
cause you to want to misuse opioids. These therapies are key in the MAT programs because they
can help change your attitudes and behaviors related to drug use, build healthy life skills, as well
as helping stick with other forms of treatment, such as medications given in the MAT program.
Setting goals, talking about setbacks, and celebrating progress, all of which are key components
of therapies (Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education, 2017). So, we see that developing,
implementing and evaluating patients in MAT therapy programs are challenging but is essential.
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With all the pros that comes along with furthering education and developing MAT
programs, there is just as many cons. The government declared a war on drugs and believe in the
policy of arresting and locking individuals up. This approach has failed numerous times in the
past, for example, prohibition which was to control the supply of alcohol to citizens. It was a
failed attempt and yet, the lesson that people get what they want despite efforts to close supply
(Sederer, L, 2017). Arrest and incarceration do not make our communities safer from drug sales
and experienced law enforcements across the country know we cannot arrest our way out of
addiction (Sederer, L, 2017). The governments views on the opioid crisis are not the only
negatives. Opponents of medicines such as nalaxone, which is used in MAT programs, have
opponents that argue that the availability and use of nalaxone provides individuals with a ‘license
to use’ opioids (Clark, A, 2014) However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and
research shows that people in programs such as MAT show a decreased use of opioids. Others
invoke the ‘choice argument,’ claiming that use is a personal choice. Yet, it is important to
remember that many cases of opioid dependence begin with pharmacological treatment of pain.
Addiction is a disease of the brain that is chronic and potentially fatal. These drugs and programs
of treatment are the best means of preventing overdoses, as well as creating a path towards
recovery.
The opioid abuse and addiction is a crisis that is devasting for families and communities
across the United States. 46 people die every day due to an opioid overdose (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2019). The most viable option is that of furthering education on
prevention, addiction, as well as developing MAT programs in correlation with medical
professionals along with churches and communities is the best way to combat this crisis. It is not
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solely impacting people as individuals, but it impacts fathers, mothers, son, daughters, neighbors,
whole communities. It is a social calling for help and when we help one, we are helping all.
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References
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Harm Reduction Coalition. (2013). What is an opioid overdose? Retrieved from
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Sederer, L. (2017, November 30). We Can’t Arrest Our Way Out of Addiction. US News &
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11-30/jeff-sessions-new-war-on-drugs-is-the-wrong-way-to-fix-the-opioid-crisis
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