The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

58. Substance Use Medications: Good or Bad?

Renee Schulte

In this episode, we dive into the controversial topic of medications for treating substance use disorders. Are we simply trading one dependency for another? We’ll explore the loose prescribing practices that contributed to the opioid crisis, and the complex reality of now using FDA-approved medications like Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone to manage addiction. With data highlighting the staggering rates of prescription drug misuse and addiction in America, we’ll examine the role of physicians, current treatment options, and how communities can educate themselves on alternatives such as therapy.


In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Understand the latest strategies for navigating behavioral health systems.
  • Discover effective approaches to treating substance use with medication.
  • Learn alternative methods for managing pain without relying on opioids.
  • Gain insights into preventing the misuse of prescription drugs.
  • Explore the profound impact of addiction on families.


The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to Behavioral Health Systems
00:03:07 - The Opioid Epidemic and Overprescription
00:07:01 - Challenges of Substance Use Medications
00:09:23 - Stigma and Medication-Assisted Treatment
00:11:30 - Prescription Drug Misuse and Addiction
00:13:24 - The Prevalence of Prescription Drug Addiction
00:14:30 - Over-Prescription of Medications
00:15:59 - Recognizing Addiction in Loved Ones
00:17:23 - Impairment in the Workplace
00:22:38 - The Benefits of Reading for Stress Relief
00:25:44 - Working Towards Better Behavioral Health System
00:26:11 - Conclusion and Thanks
00:25:44 - Connect with Rural Policy Parties
00:25:44 - The Power of Collaboration


Links:


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https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners

https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

 

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X0ek6_ttIAE