Dr. Rick Barnett - Psychology & Addictions
Dr. Rick Barnett - Psychology & Addictions
Drug Deaths: Medications and Beyond
Drug Deaths: Medications and Beyond
Drug Deaths: Medications and Beyond
Friday 12th April 2019
Dr. Rick Barnett unpacks the opioid crisis, emphasizing mental health, social factors, and comprehensive care in addiction treatment.
16 minutes
Informative
Thought-provoking
Raw
Engaging
Motivational
About this podcast
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Body & Mind
Family Recovery from Addiction
Healing from Sexual Trauma
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Get the buttons here!Beyond Opioids: Unpacking the Layers of the Drug Crisis with Dr. Rick Barnett
To genuinely save lives, we must redefine the problems and redesign the solutions.
When you think about the opioid crisis, it's easy to focus solely on the staggering number of deaths linked to these drugs. But in this episode, Dr. Rick Barnett invites listeners to look deeper into the tangled web of factors contributing to the crisis. With nearly 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 alone, it's clear that opioids are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Dr.
Barnett brings a fresh perspective, emphasizing that many of these deaths also involve other substances like benzodiazepines, cocaine, and even alcohol. Dr. Barnett doesn't shy away from the tough questions. Why do we continue to see such high numbers despite our efforts? What role do mental health and social determinants play in this epidemic? He argues that focusing exclusively on opioids is a mistake.
Instead, we need to consider the broader context, including the moralization of addiction and the fragmented state of our mental health care system. One of the most compelling parts of the episode is Dr. Barnett's discussion on 'pain refugees'. These are chronic pain patients who, despite managing their pain successfully with opioids, are being forced to taper off their medications. This often leads to increased illicit opioid use, depression, and even suicide.
It's a stark reminder that our current strategies may be causing more harm than good. Dr. Barnett also tackles the issue of polypharmacy – the use of multiple medications by a single patient. While medications like buprenorphine and methadone can help stabilize people, adding more drugs to treat mental health conditions can create serious risks. Sometimes, less is more. Non-pharmacological approaches might offer longer-lasting benefits without the side effects. Wrapping up, Dr.
Barnett champions a PEP paradigm – perspective, empathy, and persistence – as essential for making real progress. He believes that addressing social determinants of health and adopting a comprehensive approach to mental health care are crucial steps in redefining our solutions to this crisis. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding drug addiction.