Many individuals struggle with addiction. Specifically, opioid use disorder (OUD) impacts over 2.1 million people in the United States. A common attitude is that OUD is a “willpower” issue. In fact, it is a chronic brain condition that affects the brain’s chemistry and circuitry.
Physician assistant, Randi Kent, offers important information about OUD, including how it is treated and resources available in the community.
How Do Opioids Affect the Brain?
Opioids are found in common pain medications, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. They are also found in street drugs (heroin, fentanyl). When used in the short term, medically, these drugs offer a viable option for pain relief. The problem arises when people start to rely on the medications too heavily and subsequently become addicted.
As the brain becomes increasingly reliant on opioids to stimulate dopamine release, natural rewards (food, social interactions, sex) become less satisfying compared to the drug experience. This shift can drastically alter a person’s priorities and behaviors.
Chronic opioid use can also affect areas of the brain involved in judgment, decision making, learning, memory, and behavior control—such as the prefrontal cortex. These changes can contribute to the compulsive nature of addiction, where individuals continue to use opioids despite negative consequences.
De-Stigmatizing OUD
Unfortunately, there is a damaging stigma surrounding OUD. Kent explains that many people assume those living with OUD are choosing to do so; that they have no desire to get sober. The truth is, they are “under the spell” of the drug’s powerful influence. In some cases, it takes medication-assisted treatment to release them from the drug’s grips.
When speaking with individuals about OUD, she often compares it to diabetes. “Diabetes is a medical issue, but we don’t lock everyone in a room with a treadmill and vegetables and say, ‘Okay, take care of it.’ We’re not going to tell people with opioid use disorder to just go to meetings and therapy and they’ll be great. Some people do super well with that, just like some people with diabetes do super well with lifestyle changes. But, we’re lucky enough to have these medications to help treat opioid use disorder.”
Medication assistance comes in the form of different types of drugs, one of which is SUBOXONE. Kent often turns to this option as it does not produce a tolerance. “I have some patients that are on that medication for five or 10 years. And, I have patients who want to be on it for six months and talk about tapering, but there’s pros and cons to that approach,” she cautions. “The research mainly says about a year or two before we start the tapering process, but that’s not a hard and fast rule.”
Clean Slate: Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center
A great resource in the community to help with OUD is Clean Slate, an outpatient addiction treatment center. Kent treats patients at Clean Slate, offering them the option of medication. She encourages individuals who are struggling with OUD to consider this center as a possible recovery haven—no matter their economic status or age.
“My demographic can range from someone who is struggling with housing issues to someone who is unhoused. It can also include someone who is a CEO of a company. I have 18-year-olds, I have 70-year-olds. It’s really important to note that opioid use disorder does not discriminate on who is affected by the disease. If you’re even questioning whether you should reach out for help, or if you’re questioning if a family member is possibly struggling, please reach out,” she urges. “At Clean Slate, we can get you in very, very quickly. And just because you come here, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to start you on a medication right away.”
For more information, individuals can visit the website at www.cleanslatecenters.com, email patientsupporthelp@cleanslatecenters.com, or call the appointment line at 866-798-4669.
