The auto-injector is designed to allow quick administration when drug overdose first occurs.
LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Family members and caregivers of individuals with opiate drug addiction problems heaved a sigh of relief earlier this month when the FDA announced it was issuing fast-track approval to Evzio (naloxone hydrochloride), an injectable medication that can be administered to someone who is known or suspected to have had an overdose of opioid drugs. The drug will be offered in an auto-injector to make it easier for untrained individuals to administer the medication in the event of an overdose.
Although the FDA’s move has met with overall approval by many leading drug treatment specialists, there is some concern that reliance on the medication to treat addicts may in some way delay the pursuit of other options that can help address the root causes of addiction.
“The hope is that by making Naloxone more available, it will help save lives when used responsibly,” said Michael H. Lowenstein, M.D., director of the Waismann Method™, a leading provider of advanced treatment for opiate dependence and rapid detox located in Southern California. “Certainly, its use has risks, but at this particular moment in time when drug epidemics and overdoses are rampant in many parts of the country, the benefits appear to outweigh those risks significantly.
“In addition to the risks of having untrained people administering the antidote, one of the concerns is that some individuals may consider the use of Naloxone as a sort of ‘quick fix’ which may diminish the urgency underlying the need for more permanent solutions to drug use and abuse,” he added. To achieve a more permanent solution, Lowenstein says there is a clear need for support services in addition to greater compassion and understanding for those dealing with drug abuse – whether that means the abuser or the abuser’s loved ones.
De. Michael H. Lowenstein and registered addiction specialist Clare Waismann operate a leading opiate treatment program in an accredited hospital positioned to offer specialized care for patients with specific medical and dependency needs, high-risk patients, and long-time abusers of painkillers and other substances. For 15 years, the Waismann Method Medical Group has been considered the premier Rapid Detox Center in the country by successfully treating thousands of patients from all over the world in its facility located only in Southern California.
“At Waisamnn Method®, we believe in treating the individual with a compassionate approach that supports rather than judges,” Lowenstein said. “From heroin treatment to the abuse of painkillers, we approach each of our patients one-on-one to craft a custom program of care aimed at the success of the individual throughout his or her life.”
Waismann Method® is an advanced treatment for opioid dependence based on treating an individual patient’s unique needs as determined through thorough medical, psychological, and social assessments. The center offers a range of confidential, personalized treatment and aftercare options, including rapid opiate detoxification under sedation, medically-assisted detoxification, and other treatment forms.
To learn more about the Waismann Method® for opiate addiction and its proven approach, call toll-free at 1-888-987-4673.
Clare Waismann is the founder of the Waismann Method®, a leading opioid detoxification program with nearly three decades of clinical experience. As a registered addiction specialist and certified counselor, she has dedicated her career to advancing humane, medically-based approaches to opioid dependence. Clare has been featured in major media outlets discussing addiction policy and patient care, and hosts the Waismann Method Podcast. All content on this site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
