Opioid Addiction Treatments That May Surface in 2018

Is a ‘smarter’ opioid on the way?

A study published today in the journal Cell concludes that it’s possible to create pain-relieving opioids that don’t cause side effects. These side effects include anxiety, nausea, and dependency.

As they are, opioids bind to receptors on the cell surface.

A team led by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine examined how the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), a protein on the cell surface, is activated.

With that knowledge, the researchers say they developed a new drug-like compound that only activates that receptor.

That way, the opioids only relieve pain and aren’t addictive.

Knowing that structure, Dr. Bryan Roth, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, said that drug-like compounds could be developed to be more selective to specific opioid receptors.

By targeting KORs, the few drugs that bind to it don’t lead to addiction or cause death due to overdose, Roth explained.

“Drugs targeting this receptor are likely to have low-addiction potential and to not be associated with respiratory depression, which leads to death in opioid overdoses,” Roth told Healthline.

In addition, Amber C. Lindsey, LCDC-I, a program director at Taylor Recovery Center in Houston, told Healthline that vaccines are currently being developed to target opioids in the bloodstream in hopes of preventing the drug from reaching the brain and exerting euphoric effects.

Additionally, work is being done to explore the potential use of transcranial direct current stimulation, a noninvasive brain stimulation technique for treating opioid use disorder.

Treating addiction with other drugs

While 12-step programs can work effectively to treat alcohol use disorder, that’s not the case for people addicted to opioids.

Remedying opioid addiction with medication-assisted treatment is the most promising avenue, says Andrew Kolodny, co-director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

First, he notes, the country must prevent people from becoming addicted. That requires being more cautious in prescribing opioids.

“Prescribing practices have to change,” Kolodny told Healthline.

Second, it may be necessary to treat people who are already addicted with other drugs.

The country as a whole, Kolodny said, isn’t making it easy to access these addiction-defeating drugs.

Buprenorphine remains the best treatment for opioid addiction. It’ll soon be available as a monthly injection so people don’t have to remember to take a pill daily.

However, Kolodny noted that although doctors can prescribe opioids, they’re more regulated when prescribing the treatment for opioid addiction.

Physicians must complete an eight-hour training to apply for permission to prescribe buprenorphine under The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000.

The law grants a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) waiver to doctors who complete training to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. There are limits on the numbers of patients a doctor can treat, though.

Most of the doctors doing this don’t take insurance, so funding the treatment has to come out of pocket.

Another challenge to getting treatment is that many people with an opioid addiction don’t know that buprenorphine is an effective treatment, Kolodny said.

Along with buprenorphine, other FDA-approved options for treating opioid addiction include methadone and naltrexone.

They’ve been tested extensively for effectiveness and safety, said Dr. Edwin A. Salsitz, an addiction medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City.

“Generally the medications are combined with psychosocial treatments to provide the optimal outcomes,” Salsitz told Healthline.

Methadone maintenance is helpful for people who don’t do well with buprenorphine. But people have to visit a clinic daily to receive that treatment.

Suboxone is another viable treatment akin to buprenorphine, Kolodny added.

Another barrier to treatment is giving people geographical access to assistance.

A study in Annals of Family Medicine found that about 60 percent of rural counties in the United States don’t have a doctor that can prescribe buprenorphine.

When people hear about drugs for opioid treatment, they may think of the nasal spray Narcan.

While it’s more readily available, people saved by the Narcan antidote may simply overdose again.

“It’s too downstream an intervention,” Kolodny said. “If you save someone and you don’t treat them, you’re just going to have to treat them with it again.”

The Regulation Route

Kolodny says doctors must be regulated and trained in prescribing opioids.

In addition, restrictions that limit buprenorphine access must be lifted.

Manufacturers must also be regulated, Kolodny added.

“The reason we have this epidemic is because doctors started to prescribe aggressively in response to a deceptive marketing campaign that didn’t talk about addiction,” Kolodny said.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum, recently launched “Priorities to Address Addiction in America,” an initiative to address the opioid crisis.

The plan attempts to pinpoint gaps in existing programs, boost education, and connect people to treatment, among other actions.

The organization is also proposing policies that limit the supply of opioid medications to seven days for acute pain, mandate prescriber training, and eliminate coverage barriers that keep patients from accessing all forms of addiction treatment.

A Multifaceted Approach

Salsitz believes there are several methods that can be employed to ease the opioid crisis.

Among them are wider Narcan distribution, more funding for prevention and treatment, decreasing the importation of fentanyl into the United States, and decreasing societal issues that result in increased vulnerability to opioid addiction.

“There is no silver-bullet solution to the opioid epidemic,” Salsitz said. “A multipronged, multidimensional effort is required. Effective treatment exists. Greater accessibility is required.”

Mark W. Parrino, MPA, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), told Healthline that it’ll be some time before Americans break free from opioid addiction.

He noted that the criminal justice system has been slow to provide treatment access — something that is changing slowly.

Nevada is one of more than a dozen states that have regulations in place to limit the number of days for an opioid prescription or limit its strength.

A new program there has installed pre-prescription safeguards for doctors. It also bolsters the requirements to continue a prescription after one month, three months, and a year.

@aatod1984
  • Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day.

AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. 

Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
  • Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. 

“Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA 

Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
  • Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
  • Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. 

Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. 

Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
  • Final Opportunity to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 Conference. The submission window will close tonight at 12am ET.

To submit a proposal, please follow the on-screen instructions, bit.ly/3KxQSzU. For questions or additional information regarding the Call for Presentations, please send an email to meetings@aatod.org or call 856-423-3091.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and hope to see you at the conference for what will be the premier conference on the treatment of opioid use disorders in 2024! #morethanmedicine #programnotapill #opioids #OUD #OpioidUseDisorder #submitproposal
  • Today is the Final Day to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 conference, 9/21 ➡️ bit.ly/3KxQSzU

The Workshop Committee encourages you to submit proposals on innovative initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, improve program development and administration, promote integration across the continuum of care, and the development of collaborations with organizations outside of the traditional opioid treatment system.

Conference Objectives:
1️⃣Conduct a comprehensive review of the latest evidence addressing the opioid epidemic and its implications for patients, clinicians, administrators, and policy makers by identifying the most effective interventions.
2️⃣Discuss peer to peer approaches in treating opioid use disorder in an effort to improve patient outcomes in health systems, organizations, and communities.
3️⃣Evaluate the gaps in current services for opioid use disorder and develop recommendations to improve the delivery of multidisciplinary care in various populations based upon evidence-based practices.
4️⃣Disseminate a comprehensive plan of innovative services designed to treat emerging needs of patients with opioid use disorder and improve patient outcomes by providing examples of effective methods and how to implement them.
5️⃣Identify effective referral pathways to other health services offering treatment for conditions associated with opioid use disorder addiction and/or recovery by developing partnerships within the community.
  • We are pleased to announce that the deadline for submitting presentations for the #aatod2024 Conference has been extended to Thursday, September 21, 2023.

We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their proposals as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to seeing you in Las Vegas in 2024. 

https://conta.cc/3PiV5ck
  • August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day 
💜 #IOAD2023 
💜 #NaloxoneSavesLives 
💜 #EndOverdoseNow

Please contact your State Opioid Treatment Authority for locations in your community that distribute naloxone kits —> bit.ly/3qVPOPz. 

 Full Video 🎥 bit.ly/3ElzdYD
  • Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu 
#PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
  • Quick Reminder - Our committee deadline for #aatod2024 Conference related presentations is fast approaching on Monday, September 18th. We are encouraging you to submit your presentations since it will certainly contribute to an information-packed conference event.
Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day.

AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. 

Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day. AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. 

“Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA 

Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. “Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery. Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1 For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. 

Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. 

Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
Final Opportunity to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 Conference. The submission window will close tonight at 12am ET. To submit a proposal, please follow the on-screen instructions, bit.ly/3KxQSzU. For questions or additional information regarding the Call for Presentations, please send an email to meetings@aatod.org or call 856-423-3091. We look forward to receiving your submissions and hope to see you at the conference for what will be the premier conference on the treatment of opioid use disorders in 2024! #morethanmedicine #programnotapill #opioids #OUD #OpioidUseDisorder #submitproposal
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
Today is the Final Day to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 conference, 9/21 ➡️ bit.ly/3KxQSzU The Workshop Committee encourages you to submit proposals on innovative initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, improve program development and administration, promote integration across the continuum of care, and the development of collaborations with organizations outside of the traditional opioid treatment system. Conference Objectives: 1️⃣Conduct a comprehensive review of the latest evidence addressing the opioid epidemic and its implications for patients, clinicians, administrators, and policy makers by identifying the most effective interventions. 2️⃣Discuss peer to peer approaches in treating opioid use disorder in an effort to improve patient outcomes in health systems, organizations, and communities. 3️⃣Evaluate the gaps in current services for opioid use disorder and develop recommendations to improve the delivery of multidisciplinary care in various populations based upon evidence-based practices. 4️⃣Disseminate a comprehensive plan of innovative services designed to treat emerging needs of patients with opioid use disorder and improve patient outcomes by providing examples of effective methods and how to implement them. 5️⃣Identify effective referral pathways to other health services offering treatment for conditions associated with opioid use disorder addiction and/or recovery by developing partnerships within the community.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
We are pleased to announce that the deadline for submitting presentations for the #aatod2024 Conference has been extended to Thursday, September 21, 2023. We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their proposals as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to seeing you in Las Vegas in 2024. https://conta.cc/3PiV5ck
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day 💜 #IOAD2023 💜 #NaloxoneSavesLives 💜 #EndOverdoseNow Please contact your State Opioid Treatment Authority for locations in your community that distribute naloxone kits —> bit.ly/3qVPOPz. Full Video 🎥 bit.ly/3ElzdYD
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu 
#PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu #PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
Quick Reminder - Our committee deadline for #aatod2024 Conference related presentations is fast approaching on Monday, September 18th. We are encouraging you to submit your presentations since it will certainly contribute to an information-packed conference event.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

For this #GIVINGTUESDAY, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AATOD, so that we can continue to expand access to quality #OUD treatment services, which has been our hallmark since 1984.
DONATE --> http://bit.ly/3uDOeDC
Patient access to #OTPs saves lives every day.

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