Barriers Prevent Broad Access to Opioid Addiction Medication

Many people addicted to opioids lack access to medication-assisted treatment that has been proven effective and lifesaving, according to a new report.

Only 5 percent of those addicted to opioids receive medication for their addiction, HealthDay reports.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found only 6 percent of addiction treatment facilities offered all three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid addiction—methadone, buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone.

The report highlights barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment. These include misunderstanding and stigma toward drug addiction, people with opioid use disorder, and the medications to treat it. The report also cites inadequate education and training of the professionals responsible for working with people with opioid use disorder, including treatment providers and law enforcement and other criminal justice personnel.