As Massachusetts confronts an opioid abuse crisis, Maria Garcia, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, says clinicians need to assist patients addicted to the powerful drugs by supporting both their physical and mental health needs.
“It is very challenging to find the resources to help in assisting these patients who have so many needs,” said Dr. Garcia.
“Patients who have become addicted to opioid medications must be dealt with using a multifaceted approach,” Garcia said. “You’re not only dealing with the medical consequences of being on opioid high doses, but you’re also dealing with psychological factors.”
Garcia, also the medical director of Commonwealth Medicine’s Clinical Pharmacy Services, said doctors need to understand that new medications like suboxone can treat opioid addiction and help patients get their lives back.
Learn more in this Expert’s Corner video.
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Paul Jeffrey to Fox-TV 25 Boston: We must expand opioid abuse treatment, prevention
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