By Lev Facher The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a sea change in addiction medicine — in particular, increased access to buprenorphine, a drug commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. Now, new data show that despite the medication’s wider availability, deaths involving buprenorphine still constitute a small fraction[Read More…]
Tag: addiction
Kentucky moving toward more holistic approach to substance abuse treatment
By Mark Vanderhoff, Reporter | WLKY LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky has developed a comprehensive strategy for combatting substance abuse treatment, and the $842 million in legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies and distributors could help fund key components. That’s according to key figures who spoke to state lawmakers on Thursday in[Read More…]
Addiction recovery groups discuss fighting substance abuse at Drug Summit
By Chandler Wilcox HARLAN, Ky. (WYMT) – Addiction recovery specialists are faced with a new monster, fentanyl, which they say was responsible for 73% of drug overdose deaths last year. Groups came together in response for a Drug Summit in Harlan, where hours of education with moments of emotional pleas took[Read More…]
Great Health Divide | EKY addiction recovery ecosystem is strong, but gaps, high demand remain
Successful pre-pandemic efforts provide a blueprint as advocates try to address COVID-era overdose increases. By Garrett Wymer CORBIN, Ky. (WKYT) – Before he led Addiction Recovery Care, Tim Robinson was in need of addiction recovery care. “I almost drank myself to death,” Robinson told WKYT’s Garrett Wymer on a recent winter day inside Corbin City[Read More…]
Churches in Hopkins County focus on addiction recovery
By CHIP HUTCHESON Kentucky Today WHITE PLAINS, Ky. (KT) – Two churches in Hopkins County have embraced the “love your neighbor” commandment by offering programs aimed to help those battling addictions. J.D. Holt, pastor of White Plains Missionary Baptist Church, said significant addiction problems in the county prompted the beginning[Read More…]
New Study Shows Few Patients Adhere to Opioid Treatment Plans
A new study shows that fewer than a third of patients who were given drugs in emergency departments to treat an opioid addiction follow up and continue their treatments. The staggering statistics reveal the importance of addressing the social determinants of addiction and ensuring patients can access clinics and community[Read More…]
Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky rose 49% in 2020; fentanyl and methamphetamine remained the biggest drivers of death
Kentucky saw a 49 percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2020, with a total of 1,964. There were 498 more deaths last year than in 2017 when Kentucky hit a record high. “In addition to the stress caused by the pandemic, we believe the increase in overdose deaths for[Read More…]
Experts warn of ‘scary’ trend of opioid overdoses through pandemic
Data from Kentucky’s 2020 Overdose Fatality Report shows 1,964 Kentuckians died from a drug overdose in 2020, almost 50% more than previous years. Pat Fogarty, vice president of operations at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), calls the report “eye-opening.” “Just to see more and more chaos and calamity makes us realize[Read More…]
After 28-year addiction, a Kentucky woman shares her story of hope
Alyssa McGuffey of Mercer County battled addiction for 28 years. When she finally hit rock bottom and lost custody of her kids, she went into a treatment program through the faith-based non-profit, Isaiah House. “It’s an amazing place,” she said. “It really is … I had a 28-year addiction and[Read More…]
Conference shows changing business approach to addiction, recovery
Central Kentucky recovery and career centers are working together to fill hiring gaps for companies by giving people in recovery a second chance at meaningful employment. Click here to read how one woman was in the throes of addiction for eight years, but now with four years of recovery under[Read More…]