Substance use disorder is “the recurrent use of a substance that causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home,” according to Dr. Cal Morris from Health Partners of Western Ohio. Dr. Morris told us that there were more than 109,000 overdose deaths in 2021, up from 41,000 deaths in 2016. Fewer than 10% receive specialty treatment, and the overwhelming majority of care is given by providers without addiction specific training or certification and there are wide variations in treatment and standard of care. Dr. Morris then went into a fascinating description of street drugs like heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil. He told us that with conventional treatment of psychotherapy, group therapy and detox, 80% of users will relapse. He says the current best practice is MAT - Medication Assisted Treatment. This is the prescribing of suboxone to prevent drug cravings. He says those who take suboxone are much less likely to use illicit opiates and much less likely to overdose compared to medication-free treatment or detox and release. Dr. Morris says that in addition to suboxone, the patient's behavioral health needs to be treated since much of substance abuse is self mediation to help them cope with problems in their lives.
Also at Monday's meeting, President Derek thanked Dan Best for serving as the Lima Rotary Club's treasurer for the past three years and presented him with a Rotary pen. He also welcomed Tracey Regula as the club's new treasurer. Thank you both for your service!
