By Peter ChowOriginal Source: saultonline.comOBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING OPIOID ADDICTION IN SAULT STE MARIE

1) MISCONCEPTIONS AND BIASES ABOUT OPIOID ADDICTION AND TREATMENT2) INADEQUATE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING3) LEGAL AND REGULATORY BARRIERS4) CONCERNS ABOUT DIVERSION OF TREATMENT MEDICATIONS5) LACK OF SPECIALISTS IN ADDICTION MEDICINE

These are some of the misconceptions and biases blocking progress toward evidence-based treatment of opioid addiction in Sault Ste Marie.1) “Drug addiction is a lifestyle choice.”Addiction is not a lifestyle choice and it does not occur in isolation.A range of contributing contextual factors – including genetic vulnerability, stress, mental health problems and particularly psychological trauma – puts us at higher risk of substance misuse and relapse.The greater the environmental stress, as in the case of trauma, the greater...click here to continue reading