Interview #36: Providing Drug and Alcohol Treatment and its Challenges (with Dr. Emmert Roberts)
Jun 10, 2022
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Dr. Emmert Roberts, an addiction psychiatrist and research fellow from South London, discusses the crisis surrounding drug treatment. He shares insights on the UK's record drug-related deaths, the impact of policy changes on patient care, and innovative approaches like drug consumption rooms. Roberts highlights the successes and challenges of the 'Everyone In' initiative that provided emergency housing during COVID-19 and emphasizes the need for holistic care in substance use treatment to effectively support marginalized communities.
Compassionate dedication within addiction services significantly enhances the effectiveness of treatment for those battling substance use issues despite systemic challenges.
Innovative treatment approaches, such as injectable buprenorphine, improve patient autonomy and engagement while addressing stigma in substance use care.
Deep dives
The Compassionate Landscape of Addiction Services
The dedication seen within addiction services is driven by compassion, a fundamental reason many professionals enter this field. Despite systemic challenges, many dedicated individuals provide excellent care to those struggling with substance use issues. Positive outcomes in treatment and support systems show that when individuals have access to necessary interventions, significant improvements in their health and well-being can be achieved. The podcast underscores that effective care relies heavily on understanding and empathy from those working within the sector.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Comparative Study
Research is being conducted to analyze the opioid epidemic from a comparative perspective, particularly focusing on differences between the UK and the US. The investigation aims to understand opioid overdose outcomes among LGBT minoritized populations in both regions, examining the unique factors affecting this group. Insights gained may lead to improved strategies for targeted interventions in opioid overdose prevention. This proactive approach to understanding the epidemic highlights the importance of tailored healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
Innovative Approaches to Substance Treatment
Recent advancements in addiction treatment include the introduction of an injectable version of buprenorphine, promoting patient autonomy by reducing the requirement for daily pharmacy visits. Such innovations aim to broaden the options available to patients and address stigma by offering more discreet treatment alternatives. Although oral medication remains essential, expanding treatment methods reinforces the importance of patient choice and the need for diverse approaches in substance use care. By integrating new treatment modalities, addiction services can optimize patient engagement and comorbidity management.
The Impact of Housing on Treatment Outcomes
Housing-first strategies, particularly illustrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, have demonstrated their effectiveness in addressing homelessness among substance users. The 'Everyone In' initiative successfully housed thousands, showcasing the potential for improved health and social outcomes through secure accommodations. However, challenges persist, as temporary solutions do not address the underlying issues of addiction and mental health. Continued collaborative efforts within the drug and alcohol service sectors and longitudinal support structures are essential for sustainable change.
Dr Roberts is an addiction psychiatrist and research fellow working in South London, working with people with addiction to substances as well as addictive behaviours, like gambling.
He conducts research looking at the impact of policy changes on patients, such as their ability to access healthcare services. He was the clinical lead for the Homeless Hotel Drug and Alcohol Service (HDAS) in London - the first such service covering all of London, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has recently been awarded a 5 year fellowship developing interventions to improve care for people with drug use, and another fellowship in health policy. In this episode, we discuss drug consumption rooms, reasons for why the UK has had the highest drug-related deaths on record in the last year, and how policy and services could be different in order to address this.
These are some of the reports mentioned in the episode:
Lessons Learned from the Pan-London Homeless Hotel Drug & Alcohol Support Service (HDAS) https://osf.io/7cdbx/
Three qualitative reports from KCL reporting on the “Experiences Of Being Housed In A London Hotel As Part Of The ‘Everyone In’ Initiative” https://osf.io/rt7j9/
Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova
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