Destigmatizing opioid addiction, expanding treatment

There is much debate about whether addiction is a legal or medical problem, as well as whether addiction is a disease that should be treated with medication. However, there is no question addicts face widespread shame and face difficult recovery journeys, including barriers to treatments. Opioid addiction touches all demographics, and those afflicted face societal shame and many treatment barriers.

In an episode of the Opioid Action Center Podcast, Host Bill Spooner, FCHIME, CHCIO, retired CIO talks to Licensed Clinical Psychologist Kelly Moore, PhD, asst. professor of psychology at East Tennessee State University, about her work on the issue of stigma and addiction. She shares how her research and clinical experiences with incarcerated populations struck a passion for destigmatizing opioid and substance use disorder (OUD/SUD), and mental health problems.

The results from her own case studies were a far cry louder than the widespread stigma and discrimination barring those in crisis from data-driven medical treatment. The data instilled in her a profound empathy for those suffering substance addiction, and a drive for educating people on the pervasiveness of this disease and its indiscriminatory nature.

Further, she details her experience with implementing workplace initiatives to reduce stigma such as training employers; and providing treatment for those in recovery. The incarcerated, the homeless, the repeatedly overdosing ED patient, the well-dressed businesspeople and the clinical doctor – no group is untouched.

To check out the full discussion, visit the episode page at the Opioid Action Center.

The CHIME Opioid Task Force (Linkedin, Twitter) was assembled in 2018 with a sole mission: to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic using the knowledge and expertise of the nation’s health care IT leaders. For more updates on the current state of the opioid crisis visit opioidactioncenter.com and listen to the Opioid Action Center podcast for the latest insights from HIT industry leaders.