Opioids in the Veterinary Field

Site Admin — Tue, 19 May 2020 01:31:07 +0000

When it comes to the opioid crisis, many people fail to realize the impact that the veterinary care field can have on the issue. While many efforts have been made to educate physicians and dentists about opioids, veterinary clinics are another possible source of opioids that can be abused. Just as with humans, animals receive opioids to help them deal with pain. As such, veterinary clinics and veterinarians have to be registered with the US Drug Enforcement Administration in order to stock, administer, prescribe and dispense opioids. Unfortunately, research has shown that those who are addicted to opioids are using veterinary clinics as one resource for obtaining the drugs they desire.

So, how does this affect the opioid crisis and how does it impact animals? Sadly, a recent survey found that 13 percent of veterinarians know that an animal owner intentionally hurt an animal in order to obtain opioid medications. In addition, 44 percent were aware of opioid abuse or misuse by either a staff member or a client. Yet, only 62 percent felt they had a role in helping to prevent opioid abuse and 73 percent reported that their training in regard to opioid abuse or misuse was just fair, poor or nonexistent. Furthermore, 64 percent reported that they had never completed continuing education on best practices for prescribing opioids.

Clearly, while it is at no fault of an veterinarians who are currently in practice, not enough is being done to help regulate potential opioid abuse within the veterinary field. If you or someone you love is suffering from opioid addiction, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about our suboxone program.

The post Opioids in the Veterinary Field first appeared on Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C..

Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Use Disorder

Site Admin — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:14:24 +0000

In 2017 alone, more than 72,000 people in the United States died from drug overdose. The sharpest increase in drug use and death was the use of synthetic opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30,000 overdose deaths can be attributed to opioids, with 16,000 being linked to heroin and the remainder being linked to prescription painkillers.

Given the sharp increase in deaths associated with opioids, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide Public Health Emergency on October 27, 2017. In addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th edition listed Opioid Use Disorder among its recognized mental illnesses. To be diagnosed with an Opioid Use Disorder, a person must display two of the symptoms included on a long list of recognized symptoms within a 12-month period. Some of these symptoms include:

Taking more drugs over a longer period of time than intended
Spending a great deal of time obtaining or using opioids
Having a strong desire to use opioids
Continuing to use opioids despite having social and interpersonal problems related to their use
Continuing to use opioids despite ongoing physical or psychological problems related to their use
Giving up or reducing other activities due to opioid use

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or someone you love, contact Advanced Spine and Rehab today to learn more about our suboxone program. We will be happy to discuss the program with you to help you determine if it might be the right treatment program for you.

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The post Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Use Disorder first appeared on Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C..

Opioid Use | Advanced Spine & Rehab, P.C.

Opioids in the Veterinary Field

Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Use Disorder