I am in the clinical portion of a PMHNP program. My preceptor is a psychiatrist who provides Suboxone therapy. My understanding as of last year is that NPs are not allowed to become certified to provide Suboxone treatment. I am aware that there was proposed legislation in 2015 to allow NPs to provide Suboxone therapy; "U.S. Senators Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Rand Paul of Kentucky would increase the first-year cap from 30 patients to 100, and would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe buprenorphine."
I understand that the cap on a provider's case load of Suboxone patients has been increased, but I do not know if NPs are allowed to offer this service. I was told that NPs can now prescribe Suboxone, but I cannot find anything to corroborate this. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Suboxone is good for making pharm and clinics money. And drug testing companies
otherwise they would probably use like some sort of depo shot or implant
LAI is in the works but I agree 100% that it is about money and is supported by those who are naive enough to think this an acceptable solution that will result in statistically long term growth, or maybe thats not the goal? Look at how successful Methadone has been...not. And check the stats with suboxone they can and do continue using heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine etc. often with disastrous results so there goes the theory that people are ODing because they can't get into MAT.
And check the stats with suboxone they can and do continue using heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine etc. often with disastrous results so there goes the theory that people are ODing because they can't get into MAT.
People agree not ODing because they can't get into MAT, I mentioned that they are ODing while waiting to get in, that's a big difference. I am not an expert in this at all, but I would think that overall patients do better in MAT programs then the do on the street. Do you disagree? You mention that "often" there are disastrous results. Is the risk of ODing while on suboxone greater than without treatment?
Clearly, suboxone is being abused/sold, so things need to change. But what is the solution then? The only access to suboxone around here (like I said, nearest prescriber is 18 miles away) is strictly a cash business, no insurance. That to me seems like nothing more than a legal drug dealer.
People agree not ODing because they can't get into MAT, I mentioned that they are ODing while waiting to get in, that's a big difference. I am not an expert in this at all, but I would think that overall patients do better in MAT programs then the do on the street. Do you disagree? You mention that "often" there are disastrous results. Is the risk of ODing while on suboxone greater than without treatment?
Clearly, suboxone is being abused/sold, so things need to change. But what is the solution then? The only access to suboxone around here (like I said, nearest prescriber is 18 miles away) is strictly a cash business, no insurance. That to me seems like nothing more than a legal drug dealer.
I wasn't clear I meant I don't feel it is honest to frame it as people are ODing while waiting to get into MAT because that makes it sound like the only option for detoxing and sobriety is suboxone which isn't true on several accounts. If someone is motivated for treatment there are other options. From the data I have read the risk of eventual OD with Suboxone treatment isn't significantly less although it can take a a bit longer.
I wasn't clear I meant I don't feel it is honest to frame it as people are ODing while waiting to get into MAT because that makes it sound like the only option for detoxing and sobriety is suboxone which isn't true on several accounts. If someone is motivated for treatment there are other options. From the data I have read the risk of eventual OD with Suboxone treatment isn't significantly less although it can take a a bit longer.
clearly not the only option. But I think we can all
agree that the ED telling addicts seeking help to come back after the get high/drunk is not ideal.
Jules A, MSN
8,864 Posts
LAI is in the works but I agree 100% that it is about money and is supported by those who are naive enough to think this an acceptable solution that will result in statistically long term growth, or maybe thats not the goal? Look at how successful Methadone has been...not. And check the stats with suboxone they can and do continue using heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine etc. often with disastrous results so there goes the theory that people are ODing because they can't get into MAT.