Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Episode 53 - Is the buprenorphine you prescribe going to end up on the street?
Episode 53 - Is the buprenorphine you prescribe going to end up on the street?
Episode 53 - Is the buprenorphine you prescribe going to end up on the street?
Thursday 1st June 2023
Dr. Casey Grover unpacks buprenorphine diversion myths and realities, highlighting its role in harm reduction and opioid use disorder treatment.
23 minutes
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Author:
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Family Recovery from Addiction
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Get the buttons here!Buprenorphine on the Streets: Myths and Realities
Episode Overview
- Dr. Grover shares insights on the safety and efficacy of prescribing buprenorphine, emphasizing its potential to save lives by reducing the risk of opioid overdose.
- The scoping review on buprenorphine diversion reveals the relatively low rate of diversion among patients with opioid use disorder, highlighting important implications for healthcare providers.
- Key motivations behind diverted buprenorphine use, such as self-treatment for opioid use disorder and withdrawal avoidance, are uncovered, shedding light on patient perspectives and needs.
- Positive outcomes associated with using diverted buprenorphine, including reduced risk of non-fatal opioid overdose and increased openness to drug treatment programs, are highlighted as potential harm reduction strategies.
- Dr. Grover concludes with encouraging healthcare providers to continue their efforts in prescribing buprenorphine, emphasizing its role in saving lives and addressing substance use disorders.
Patients with opioid use disorder who used diverted buprenorphine felt more open to and more prepared to enter drug treatment programs.
Worried that the buprenorphine you prescribe might end up being sold on the street? Dr. Casey Grover gets to the heart of this concern in this eye-opening episode of 'Addiction in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care'. Dr. Grover, with his wealth of experience, dives into the complexities of buprenorphine diversion, a topic that often leaves many healthcare providers anxious. Is it as rampant as we fear? What really happens when patients use diverted buprenorphine? Dr.
Grover reviews a comprehensive scoping study led by Stephanie Rubel and her team, shedding light on the true extent of buprenorphine diversion in the United States. The findings might surprise you: the rate of diversion is relatively low among patients undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder. But why do some patients divert buprenorphine? The motivations are multifaceted, ranging from self-treatment for opioid use disorder to avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
What's even more intriguing are the positive outcomes associated with diverted buprenorphine use. Dr. Grover discusses how, in some cases, it serves as an unintentional harm reduction tool, potentially preventing overdoses. This nuanced perspective encourages a reevaluation of our fears and assumptions around prescribing buprenorphine. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of the safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine in treating opioid use disorder. Dr.
Grover's insights emphasize the importance of continuing to prescribe this life-saving medication, despite the concerns about diversion. For healthcare providers navigating the challenges of addiction treatment in acute care settings, this episode offers valuable knowledge and reassurance.