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Addressing Addiction in the Workplace: A Key to Success

June 1, 2023 by Editor

In any business, the people are the backbone of success. Healthy, productive, and capable employees drive growth and innovation. However, when chemical dependency enters the picture, it can significantly impact an employee’s ability to contribute effectively. Substance abuse in the workplace not only affects the individual, but it also creates a ripple effect that hampers productivity, morale, and can even jeopardize public safety. Recognizing and addressing addiction at the workplace is crucial, as it offers numerous benefits to both the employee and the business as a whole.

The Impact of Addiction in the Workplace:

Substance abuse in the workplace brings a host of challenges. Increased absenteeism, on-the-job accidents, errors in judgment, legal expenses, and medical insurance claims are just a few of the issues that arise. Moreover, addiction can lead to a decrease in productivity, morale, and overall employee satisfaction. When employees are grappling with addiction, it affects not only their work performance but also their personal lives, resulting in altered appearance, mood swings, withdrawal from responsibilities, and unusual behavior patterns. Failing to address these symptoms can lead to long-term consequences for both the individual and the organization.

The Benefits of Addressing Addiction at Work:

Recognizing and addressing addiction in the workplace is a proactive and compassionate approach that yields numerous benefits. By providing resources and support for employees struggling with addiction, businesses can improve job performance, motivation, and morale. When employees receive the help they need, they are more likely to regain focus, become more productive, and contribute positively to the success of the company. Furthermore, addressing addiction demonstrates the organization’s commitment to the well-being of its employees, fostering a positive work environment and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

Taking Action:

If you suspect an employee is struggling with addiction, it’s important to take action promptly. Keep an eye out for signs such as changes in attendance or performance, altered appearance, mood swings, withdrawal from responsibilities, or defensive attitudes regarding the object of addiction. When concerns arise, it is essential to connect the employee with the appropriate resources, such as counseling or employee assistance programs. By offering support and treatment options, employers can play a crucial role in facilitating recovery and restoring the employee’s well-being.

Conclusion:

Addressing addiction in the workplace is not just an act of compassion; it is a strategic move that benefits both employees and businesses. By recognizing the impact of substance abuse on productivity, morale, and safety, employers can take proactive steps to support employees struggling with addiction. Providing access to treatment and resources fosters improved job performance, motivation, and overall customer satisfaction. Remember, employees are the core of a company, and their well-being is vital for sustained success. By addressing addiction, we create a healthier, more productive work environment for everyone involved. Visit our contact page if you are searching for support with sobriety.

Get Support With Fighting Drugs TODAY

May 31, 2023 by Editor

Drug detoxification is incredibly beneficial for individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Firstly, detox helps individuals manage and overcome the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that arise when they stop using drugs. These symptoms can be highly uncomfortable, painful, and even life-threatening in some cases. By undergoing detox in a professional setting, individuals have access to medical supervision and support, which can greatly alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal and increase their safety during this critical phase.

Secondly, our services help people to release from the cycle of addiction by removing drugs from their systems (their bodies). Substance abuse negatively affects brain chemistry and creates a physical dependence that makes it extremely challenging to quit without professional assistance. Detox provides a controlled environment where individuals can cleanse their bodies from harmful substances and start their recovery journey with a fresh start. By eliminating the immediate influence of drugs, individuals can gain mental clarity and begin addressing the underlying issues that contributed to their addiction in the first place.

Lastly, drug detox sets the foundation for long-term recovery by providing a supportive and accountable environment. In a detox facility, individuals are removed from triggers and temptations found in their everyday environment, reducing the risk of relapse. The presence of trained healthcare professionals ensures that individuals receive the necessary care, guidance, and medical intervention if needed. Our support can significantly increase the chances of a successful recovery, as individuals can focus on healing both physically and mentally, laying the groundwork for subsequent treatment and therapy.

In summary, drug detoxification is good for several reasons. It helps individuals manage withdrawal symptoms, break the cycle of addiction, and begin their recovery journey with a clean slate. Detox provides a safe and supportive environment, reducing the risk of relapse and providing access to medical professionals who can offer necessary care and guidance. By undergoing drug detoxification, individuals increase their chances of achieving long-term recovery and regaining control of their lives from the grips of addiction.

Visit our contact page to get support today! You are not alone on the journey to sobriety and we can help.

Happy Memorial Day from Rapid Drug Detox

May 29, 2023 by Editor

On this solemn day, we pay tribute to the brave souls who laid down their lives for our nation.

Oxycodone Detoxification

May 25, 2023 by Editor

Oxycodone is a powerful “opioid analgesic.” Though these drugs relieve pain, they are highly addictive and can be harmful to the body. You may have taken it by any of several different brand names, including OxyFast, OxyIR, Percolone, Roxicodone, Eukodal, Dinarkon, or Supeudol. Sometimes, it is combined with aspirin, and then you may know it as Percodan, Endodan or Roxiprin. When combined with acetaminophen, it is known as Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet and Tylox.

The more you use Oxycodone, the more you need, which leads to addiction. The National Institute of Health stated recently that 52 million teens and adults use their prescription drugs non-medically. Medical News Today recently reported that an increasing number of babies are born addicted “due to opioid overprescription.” The National Institute of Health reports that drug-related visits to hospital emergency rooms spiked sharply recently – oxycodone-induced visits alone increased 242.2 percent. A recent video from Science Daily points out, taxpayers are footing the bill.

Symptoms of addiction can include shallow breathing, respiratory arrest (you stop breathing), flabby skeletal muscles, or even a drop in blood pressure and your heart rate, which can bring on a coma and death. Oxycodone withdrawal is often a painful process, particularly after heavy use. Your withdrawal symptoms may resemble heroin withdrawal, including sweating, heart spasms, body and muscle ache, diarrhea, watery eyes, sneezing, “goose bump cool” skin, pale and clammy skin, nausea with or without vomiting, chills, trembling, abdominal cramping, convulsions, dehydration, restlessness, leg spasms or kicking, insomnia, and mood disturbances.

In short, detox is tough when you try to go it alone. The Rapid Drug Detox (RDD) Center developed a better way. The RDD Center’s Anesthesia Oxycodone detox is a proven procedure that effectively reduces the pain and discomfort associated with conventional Oxycodone detox. Rapid anesthesia detoxification (The RDD Method™) is a medical procedure that “cleans” the Oxycodone drug from your brain’s opiate receptors. It even eases you successfully through the “rebound anxiety” that often accompanies detoxification. Instead of a difficult, several-week withdrawal period, the Center’s RDD treatment takes 3 days and eliminates most withdrawal symptoms. The actual procedure takes about an hour. After a brief, painless series of tests, you are admitted to the operating room (O.R.). There, an experienced, board certified anesthesiologist gives you a medication to relax and then administers a light, general anesthesia. Then, while you rest comfortably, a team of experienced doctors “scrubs” the opiate receptors in your body, using an infusion of intravenous medications.

Once the Oxycodone is removed from your receptors, the worst of the withdrawal is over. And you slept through it all. After the procedure, you recover under direct medical supervision. The RDD team of experienced medical professionals monitors your vital signs and your overall physical and mental reactions. In the days that follow the procedure, you may sleep more than usual. Administered by professionals as part of a long-term drug-addiction recovery strategy, the RDD Method™ has proven to be significantly more effective than other methods. You can call the RDD Center at 1-866-399-2967 to learn more about beating Oxycodone addiction.

Mortality rates have shown a decline through continued treatment following detoxification for individuals with opioid use disorder.

May 25, 2023 by Editor

A recent study has revealed that individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who undergo inpatient medically managed withdrawal treatment, commonly known as detox, often do not receive subsequent treatment such as medication for OUD or additional inpatient care. However, those who do receive further treatment, including medication (methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone) or residential treatment, demonstrate higher survival rates at the 12-month mark. The findings, published in Addiction, underscore the significance of ensuring ongoing engagement in treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder to enhance their chances of survival.

Detoxification, or inpatient medically managed withdrawal, is a widely used approach for individuals seeking treatment for opioid use disorder. While individuals enter detox with the intention of improving their condition, many do not pursue additional treatment specifically targeting their OUD, including medication, following discharge. Without ongoing medication for OUD, their opioid tolerance decreases, putting them at a higher risk of overdose compared to when they initially entered detox. It’s important to note that residential treatment programs typically do not incorporate medications for OUD during the treatment regimen.

Dr. Alexander Walley, a physician specializing in general internal medicine and a researcher at the Grayken Center for Addiction, both at Boston Medical Center, explained, “Previous studies have demonstrated that FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder work by reducing opioid use, promoting treatment retention, and, in the case of methadone and buprenorphine, decreasing mortality. In this study, we specifically examined post-discharge mortality rates after detox based on further treatment with medication for opioid use disorder and residential treatment.”

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, researchers from Boston Medical Center analyzed linked data sets of individuals aged 18 and above in Massachusetts with health insurance. The study focused on individuals who underwent detox between January 2012 and December 2014, allowing for a 12-month observation period before and after the initial recorded detox. The researchers investigated the 12-month all-cause and opioid-related mortality rates for individuals who were discharged and fell into the following categories: no treatment for OUD, received medication for OUD after discharge, received residential treatment (discontinuing medication), or received both residential treatment and medication for OUD.

The data indicated that the all-cause mortality rate for individuals who received no treatment after detox was high, at 2 percent per year, with overdose being the primary cause. Among those who received medication for OUD in the month following detox, those who remained in treatment experienced a 66 percent reduction in all-cause mortality compared to those who received no treatment. Seventeen percent of individuals received residential treatment, leading to a 37 percent decrease in all-cause mortality compared to those who received no treatment. Only three percent of the study participants received both medication for OUD and residential treatment, resulting in an 89 percent reduction in all-cause mortality compared to those who received no treatment.

“Opioid use disorder is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment,” stated Dr. Walley, who is also an associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. “The data from our study demonstrates that medication and residential treatment for opioid use disorder reduce the risk of overdose and death, but these treatments need to be continued to be effective.”

The study revealed that less than half of the individuals included in the analysis received further treatment after detox, and sustained engagement in care, both in inpatient and outpatient settings, was not commonly observed. The authors highlighted the potential effectiveness of combining medication and residential treatment for individuals at the highest risk.

“It is crucial to consider initiating medication during detox and expanding the healthcare system to facilitate better collaboration between residential treatment centers and medication for opioid use disorder programs. This would improve access to medication and increase the number of people remaining in treatment

The coronavirus and efforts to fight it could be fueling opioid deaths

June 3, 2020 by Editor

As May comes to a close, COVID-19 had killed nearly 100,000 Americans so far this year. This must clearly remain the focus of public health policy. But there is another epidemic that used to make headlines: opioid overdoses. These two crises feed each other in deadly ways. We’re desperately seeking new tools to fight COVID-19 — from vaccines to antivirals to technology — but we already have underused tools to fight opioid deaths.

Almost 50,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2018. The Health and Human Services inspector general concluded, “The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic makes the need to look at this population even more pressing.”

COVID likely detrimental to mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic tragically fuels the root causes of the opioid crisis, including depression, unemployment, poverty, social alienation and many other “conditions of despair.” Some research suggests that every 1 percentage point increase in the level of unemployment translates into a 3.6% increase in the opioid death rate. If the pandemic increases unemployment rates by 10-20 percentage points, this could generate a staggering increase in opioid deaths that would compound the tragedy.

But beyond there is another set of institutional factors that may cause the COVID-19 pandemic to worsen the opioid crisis, and that’s the change in the way we access health care. Thirty-two percent of opioid overdoses are from legally prescribed drugs such as oxycodone — roughly the same share as from heroin. Some of the deaths from legally prescribed drugs are in patients who take them for legitimate pain management. These patients need help to prevent abuse and death. Some deaths are in individuals using medications prescribed for someone else. This diversion is deadly.

Telemedicine is playing a vital role in providing access to health care during the pandemic — but it may paradoxically have the unintended consequence of accelerating these overdose deaths. Telemedicine is an important way to keep vulnerable patients out of health care facilities where they could pick up — or spread — disease. At both the state and federal levels, reimbursement and other rules have changed to encourage telemedicine, including allowing the prescription of opioids — even across some state lines. Approximately 76% of U.S. hospitals report that they are now connecting with patients using video, audio, chat, email and related technologies.

Telemedicine could be causing dangerous side effects

These new measures have the potential to increase opioid abuse, diversion and death. Without a face-to-face encounter, a physician has limited ability to evaluate the condition of a patient seeking pain management. And one of the few policy tools available to check for patients “opioid shopping” by going to multiple providers — state-level prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) — does not work across state lines. It seems like we are already experiencing COVID-19’s impact on opioid overdoses, with multiple reports showing a sharp local increases in opioid deaths.

What should we do to mitigate this compounding death toll?

Of course, limiting the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic through unemployment benefits and small business support is crucial on multiple fronts. But there are also much lower cost avenues that can help to forestall a rise in overdoses without limiting access to much needed care. State-level prescription drug monitoring programs must be strengthened, integrated into a national system and more easily accessed by prescribers. There are new technologies available to support desperately needed pain management while limiting the potential for diversion and overdose, including sophisticated pill tracking.

Policymakers can enable and incentivize adoption of new technologies in the same way that they have spurred adoption of telemedicine.

The COVID-19 crisis is unlikely to resolve quickly, and expanded access to telemedicine may be a boon for underserved patients even after it passes. We have tools available to mitigate the consequently higher risk of opioid overdoses without limiting access to needed care and medicines. If we act quickly, we can ensure that one public health crisis doesn’t further fuel another. We need to protect our communities from further hardship as best we can — particularly hardships so easy to forecast and to prevent.

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