Podcast Summary
Reframing the Opioid Crisis: Beyond Treatment: The opioid crisis is a societal issue affecting millions, requiring a comprehensive response beyond just treatment, including addressing systemic causes and supporting those in recovery.
The opioid crisis is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach beyond just treatment. According to APA CEO Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., who has worked extensively in the substance use field, we need to expand our perspective to consider the impact on families, communities, and systemic issues like the workforce. The opioid epidemic is not only a public health crisis but also a societal one, affecting millions of lives and requiring a comprehensive response. APA and its members can contribute to reframing the opioid crisis by advocating for a broader understanding of the issue and pushing for systemic changes that address the root causes of addiction and support those in recovery.
Beyond Treatment: A Comprehensive Approach to the Opioid Crisis: A successful strategy to address the opioid crisis involves addressing policy, workforce development, mental health, family support, and peer networks in addition to substance use disorder treatment.
Addressing the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond just treating the substance use disorder itself. The workforce in the substance use field faces challenges such as high turnover rates and insufficient training, making it crucial to explore areas outside of treatment, including policy and workforce development. Moreover, individuals with opioid use disorder often have co-occurring mental health conditions, and treating them as a whole – including the family system and social support networks – is essential for successful recovery. The power of peer support and social networks cannot be overstated, making it a vital component of any comprehensive strategy to tackle the opioid crisis.
Focusing on chronic care in mental health and substance use systems: Investing in peer support, aligning policies with evidence, and ensuring longer treatment durations can lead to better outcomes in mental health and substance use systems.
Shifting the focus from acute treatment to chronic care in mental health and substance use systems can lead to better outcomes. This approach includes investing in peer support, aligning policies with scientific evidence, and ensuring longer treatment durations. The speakers, who previously held roles in Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services and Connecticut's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, shared their experiences implementing these changes. They emphasized the importance of systemic and policy-level changes to support individual clinicians and create an environment that encourages evidence-based practices.
Understanding Addiction and Substance Use Disorders: The Role of Research: Research is essential to understanding addiction and addressing substance use disorders, particularly opioid use. It can help identify risk factors, explore effective treatments, and challenge profit-driven overprescription of opioids.
Research funding is crucial in understanding and addressing addiction and substance use disorders, particularly opioid use. We know a lot about addiction, but we know less about recovery and the various pathways that lead to substance use. Research can help us understand these mechanisms, including the role of pain, psychological issues, and non-professional treatment methods. Psychologists can assess and identify individuals at risk for substance use disorders, such as those who catastrophize or overestimate pain. Opioids are often prescribed for chronic pain despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. A profit motive and overpromotion of opioids for unintended uses are contributing factors to their widespread prescription. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as psychotherapy and physical therapy, can be effective alternatives for managing chronic pain. Overall, policy and research efforts should prioritize understanding and addressing addiction and substance use disorders through evidence-based approaches.
Addressing the opioid crisis through multi-faceted approaches: Implementing methods like yoga, psychology, telehealth, housing programs, and Housing First model to manage pain, expand healthcare access, and prioritize stable housing for recovery
Addressing the opioid crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that includes helping people manage pain without relying on medication through methods like yoga and psychology, expanding access to healthcare services through telehealth and housing programs, and implementing the Housing First model, which prioritizes providing stable housing before focusing on recovery. Psychologists play a crucial role in leading these programs due to their expertise in assessing individuals' needs and designing tailored treatment plans. The Housing First model, which has been successful for individuals with mental health conditions and certain substance use disorders, provides a safe living space first and then offers support services. This approach fosters a more comfortable and stable environment for individuals, which is essential for recovery.
Stable housing key for individuals recovering from substance use disorders: Effective drug courts mandate and provide resources for recovery, addressing comorbid mental health issues, and reducing stigma are crucial for individuals with substance use disorders to seek help
Stable housing is crucial for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, particularly those with opioid use disorder. Many end up in the criminal justice system, and while some may not be ready for treatment, drug courts can be effective in mandating and providing resources for recovery. Psychologists can play significant roles in these settings through assessment and addressing comorbid mental health issues. Stigma surrounding substance use disorders significantly hinders people from seeking help, and it's essential to address this issue through policy changes and reducing shame and embarrassment associated with addiction.
Reducing stigma around mental health and addiction: Using inclusive and respectful language and sharing personal stories can help reduce stigma around mental health and addiction, creating a more supportive and understanding society for those struggling.
Reducing stigma around mental health and addiction is crucial as we work to build capacity and connect those in need with resources. The recovery movement in the US is making strides in reducing stigma, as more people are becoming public about their recovery and sharing their stories. This shift towards openness and normalization is important, as it helps challenge negative perceptions and increase understanding. Additionally, the language we use can make a significant impact on reducing stigma. Instead of using stigmatizing terms like "addict," we can refer to individuals as "people in recovery" or "people with substance use disorder." By making a commitment to use more inclusive and respectful language, we can help create a more supportive and understanding society for those struggling with addiction.
Psychologists' Role in Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment: Psychologists identify causes, provide evidence-based treatments, and bring unique perspective to policy making for effective prevention and treatment of substance use disorders
Psychologists play a crucial role in both the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. They can help identify the underlying causes, such as pain, trauma, depression, and anxiety, and provide evidence-based treatments to address these issues before they lead to addiction. Psychologists also bring a unique perspective to policy making and administration at the local and state levels, using their scientific background and research skills to develop effective policies that reach the most people and have the greatest impact. Overall, incorporating psychological interventions into substance use disorder prevention and treatment strategies can lead to better outcomes and a reduction in the number of people developing long-term substance use disorders.
Recovery-first approach for opioid crisis: Successful opioid crisis models prioritize family engagement, share lessons, and advocate for comprehensive approaches including funding for non-pharmacological pain interventions, addressing workforce and policy issues, and educating policymakers.
Effective models for addressing the opioid crisis involve a recovery-first approach that engages the entire family and friends. These models, which have already been successful in places like Philadelphia, Connecticut, and even internationally, emphasize the importance of sharing lessons learned and replicating successful policies in other areas. At the federal level, organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) can play a role in convening experts and advocating for comprehensive approaches that include funding for non-pharmacological interventions for pain, addressing workforce and policy issues, and educating policymakers. Looking ahead, the hope is that within the next 10 years, the stigma surrounding substance use disorders will lessen, more people will openly discuss their recovery journeys, and legislators will be better informed to make effective policies. The APA aims to be involved in this education process to help create a more comprehensive system for addressing the opioid epidemic.
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The American Psychological Association (APA) values your feedback and engagement with its podcasts, including "Speaking of Psychology." You can share your comments and ideas by emailing kluna@apa.org. Additionally, please consider rating the podcast on Itunes to help spread the word. The APA podcast network offers other insightful podcasts like "APA Journals Dialogue" and "Progress Notes." You can access all APA podcasts on Itunes, Stitcher, or other podcast platforms. For more episodes, visit speakingofpsychology.org. I'm Caitlin Luna from the American Psychological Association.
