Opioid use disorder is a big problem. Many people struggle to get the help they need. Two medications, buprenorphine and naltrexone, can make a real difference. But not everyone gets equal access to these treatments. Race, ethnicity, and insurance type play a big role in who receives these medications. People of different races and ethnicities do not have the same c...
Medicaid is a big deal in the U. S. It's a program that helps millions of people get healthcare. One hot topic right now is how well Medicaid tracks opioid use disorder treatment. To check this, experts looked at the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Analytic Files. This is a fancy name for a big set of data. They compared it to another set of data ...
The opioid crisis has left a mark on countless families. Mothers struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) face an uphill battle. They often find it difficult to breastfeed. This is despite the fact that breastfeeding is known to be beneficial for both moms and babies. Many of these moms are on medication to manage their OUD. Yet, they still face significant roadbloc...
The journey from prison back to life can be really hard, especially for those living with HIV and opioid use disorder. To figure out how methadone can help these individuals stay connected to HIV care, a study was done. The study had two groups; one group received methadone before their release, while the other group did not. However, one must question whether the ...
People who inject drugs face unique challenges when it comes to opioid use disorder (OUD). Fortunately, there are medications specifically designed to help, known as MOUD. These drugs are proven to lower the risk of overdose and infectious disease transmission. But access to these medications isn't always easy, especially for those who inject drugs. Let's take a clos...
You might think that treating opioid use disorder is simple with available meds, right? Wrong! Many people face major hurdles, especially when it comes to money. This research wanted to find out why some people give up on treatment. Turns out, the dosh they need to fork out can be a real pain. It's not just the meds, but also other stuff like visits to the clinic. Th...
Imagine if the medication you took for diabetes could also help you fight an addiction. That's what researchers are suggesting with Ozempic, a drug normally used to treat diabetes and promote weight loss. A recent study from Loyola University Chicago found that Ozempic might significantly reduce the risk of opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxication in people with sub...