New Auto-Injection Device Could Save Opiate Addicts from Overdose

Despite the best efforts of lawmakers and outpatient detox facilities to curb the opiate epidemic, overdose rates remain on the rise in America. With 100 people dying from drug overdoses every day in the United States, this is no small issue. Increasing access to outpatient detox, cracking down on the misuse of prescription painkillers and taking steps to get illegal opiates like heroin off the streets are all part of the solution, none of these measures can help a person who’s already in the grips of an opiate overdose and has only minutes, maybe even seconds, to live.

Naloxone can. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that works to quickly and effectively reverse overdose by clearing the drug from the opioid receptors in the brain. Though law enforcement officers in some locations are already carrying a nasal spray version of the drug, and EMTs throughout the country carry an injectable version of the drug. These initiatives have already been credited with saving hundreds of lives around the country. Now, a new, auto-injection device called Evzio has been approved by the FDA for use by parents, friends, caregivers and drug abusers themselves.

Keeping Addicts Alive Is the First Step in Getting Them into Outpatient Detox

Addiction is a disease, and opiate addiction in particular is insidious. With so many people around the nation struggling against opiate addiction at the moment, access to outpatient detox programs is hard to come by. Many addicts sadly succumb to overdose long before they can get the help that outpatient detox programs provide.

Why don’t addicts get help? Many fear going through excruciating withdrawal symptoms, and don’t understand that outpatient detox medications completely relieve those symptoms. They may be in denial, or suffering from such shame, guilt, and low self-esteem that they believe treatment couldn’t help them anyway.

Many addicts desperately want help, but don’t know where to turn. They fear that they’ll be persecuted if they admit that they need outpatient detox for an addiction to heroin or prescription painkillers. They may worry about being able to pay for the treatment. In many cases, they simply don’t know where or how to access it.

In the meantime, they keep using opiates – and each time they do, they’re at risk of overdose. Given enough time, most opiate addicts will seek help and enter recovery – but many run out of time on the day when they take too much heroin or too many pills at once. A quick, safe, easy-to-administer naloxone injection could put the tools needed to save overdosing addicts in the hands of those who are most likely to be on the scene when the overdose occurs – spouses, partners, friends, acquaintances and family members. Putting this lifesaving drug into the hands of those who are closest to addicts saves the precious minutes needed to call in professional assistance from law enforcement or EMTs. A brush with overdose could be the wake-up call many addictions need to finally enter an outpatient detox program for opiate addiction treatment.

How Evzio Works

Evzio is the first naloxone treatment device that’s been approved by the FDA for use by non-medical professionals. It contains a pre-measured dose of the lifesaving drug, along with a device caregivers, friends and loved ones can use to practice administering the drug, complete with an audio recording of instructions. Evzio administers naloxone into the muscles of the thigh.

The device is available to the friends and loved ones of drug abusers, as well as the abusers themselves, via prescription. In many areas, however, programs already exist to maximize access to the drug, while minimizing the need for drug abusers or their friends and loved ones to actually visit a doctor. In these areas, participating pharmacies collaborate with authorizing physicians to make the prescriptions available to anyone who is willing to sit through a 20-minute session of education about both drug abuse and how Evzio is administered.

If you or someone you love is addicted to opiate drugs, educate yourself about Evzio’s availability in your area. Keeping some naloxone on hand could save yours or your loved one’s life in the event of an overdose. If you or your loved one is ready to seek help from an outpatient detox for opiate addiction, help is just a phone call away.

Call The Delray Center For Healing @ 888-699-5679 today. 

Why Outpatient Detox Is the Best Choice for You

Outpatient detox is the best way to get off drugs and start getting your life back in order. With outpatient drug detox, you can protect your privacy and dignity while maintaining your own schedule. Let’s take a look at why outpatient drug detox is the best choice for you.

With Outpatient Detox You Can Avoid Methadone Clinics

While there’s nothing wrong with methadone clinics in theory, in practice they’re pretty much the last place you want to go if you’re trying to recover from addiction. You’ll have to go to a shady part of town, hang around with other addicts (many of whom might be still actively using) and deal with humiliating things like peeing in a cup with a nurse in the room. With outpatient detox, you can get treatment from a physician in his office, just like you would for any other ailment.

Outpatient Detox Preserves Your Privacy and Dignity

What with the stigma attached to addiction – especially opiate addiction – it’s understandable if you don’t want family, friends or employers to know you’re an addict. It could cost you relationships, housing, even your job. With outpatient detox, no one needs to know you’re in treatment except you and your provider.

Outpatient Detox Is Convenient

With outpatient detox, you don’t have to travel to a clinic every day to get you medicine. You can get a monthly prescription and take your drugs at home. You don’t have to worry about how you’re going to get to treatment every day or how it’s going to interfere with your work schedule.

Outpatient Detox Is Safe

Outpatient detox with Suboxone is much safer than methadone treatment, especially for high-risk groups like the very young or very old, or people who may face toxicity issues. You don’t have to worry about overdosing and you couldn’t get high off the drug if you wanted to, so there’s no risk of getting addicted to your maintenance medication instead.

Are you read to try outpatient drug detox with Suboxone? Call us today at 1-888-699-5679 to learn more about how we can help.

What Keeps People Who Know They Need It From Entering Outpatient Detox?

In the 21st century, outpatient detox for opiate addiction, using drugs like buprenorphine and naloxone, is an effective way for opiate addicts to cast off the yoke of addiction and return to a normal way of life. But many people who need outpatient detox for opiate addiction don’t get it – even when they know they need it, and often, even when they know that outpatient detox will be better than continuing along the path of addiction. Why?

They Can’t Afford It

According to data compiled by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a significant portion – more than 32 percent – of people who know they need help for a drug problem but don’t make any effort to get it refrain from trying to get help because they can’t afford it. Maybe they don’t have health insurance and don’t have the money to pay for outpatient detox out of pocket. While many facilities will work will people to produce management payment plans, some just don’t have the assets at hand to cover the costs. It’s a legitimate concern.

They’re Afraid of Professional Repercussions

Most outpatient detox programs – especially those using Suboxone or Subutex – all plenty of scheduling flexibility so that patients can stay in their jobs. However, many patients are worried about the potential repercussions at work if their boss should find out they’re an addict. In fact, most employers will support your recovery.

They’re Afraid of Embarrassment

Many people worry about what their neighbors, friends and relatives will think if they enter an outpatient detox for opiate addiction. This is a normal concern, especially with the stigma many recovering addicts face. However, no one should let mere embarrassment keep them from getting treatment.

They Don’t Know Where to Get Treatment

Not knowing where to go for outpatient detox is no reason not to get help. A little research can help you find a great treatment facility in your area – like The Delray Center for Healing. If you’re ready to give outpatient detox a try, give us a call, at 1-888-699-5679.