President Obama's Weekly Address 5/14/16: A Conversation About Addiction

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, Grammy Award-winning artist Macklemore joined President Obama to discuss a disease that affects far too many Americans: addiction. Macklemore opened up about his own experience, his life in recovery, and the loss of a friend who overdosed on prescription drugs at a young age – emphasizing that substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life. To underscore the importance of Macklemore's story, the President noted that we can help those suffering in private by making the conversation public, and we should do everything we can to make treatment available to everyone who needs it. The President noted that while the House of Representatives passed several bills on opioids this week, without more funding to expand treatment, these bills will not be enough to provide Americans the help they need. President Obama said there is hope, and that when we treat substance use disorder as the public health problem it is, more people will get the help they need. If you are looking for treatment in your area, call 1-800-662-HELP.

There’s A Treatment For Heroin Addiction That Actually Works. Why Aren’t We Using It?

The Huffington Post has a really great feature article titled, "Dying To Be Free", that came about after a year long investigation into the heroin treatment industry. After reading it I think you'll agree, we're not doing enough to stop heroin addiction or the public health epidemic heroin has caused.

"...A heroin addict entering a rehab facility presents as severe a case as a would-be suicide entering a psych ward. The addiction involves genetic predisposition, corrupted brain chemistry, entrenched environmental factors and any number of potential mental-health disorders — it requires urgent medical intervention. According to the medical establishment, medication coupled with counseling is the most effective form of treatment for opioid addiction. Standard treatment in the United States, however, emphasizes willpower over chemistry..."

‎Suboxone‬ may not be a cure for ‪‎heroin addiction but it is the closest thing there is. Why aren't more addicts given access to it? The standard 12 step treatment methods employed by nearly all treatment centers don't work on their own and ignore decades of scientific research in the field of opiate addictions.

If there is someone in your life whether a family member or friend, take the time to read this article. It is fascinating and it will open your eyes to a better understanding of drug addiction.

Here is a list of doctors/treatment centers in NJ that prescribe Suboxone as a means of treating a patients addiction.