A study found that just three in 10 patients revived by an EMT or in an emergency room received a follow-up medication known to avoid another life-threatening event. Compared to follow-up treatment for other medical conditions, such as a heart attack, very few are receiving adequate care. Suboxone and Methadone are proven treatments to reduce morbidity yet are not offered by emergency staff. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as they discuss their experiences and wishes.





Discussion Guide:





If you overdosed, and were revived by an EMT or hospital emergency room, were you provided sufficient resources to prevent another overdose?





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Were you provided with Narcan, the opioid reversal medication?



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Were you offered Suboxone, Vivitrol or Methadone?



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Did they contact a nearby Medication Assisted Treatment facility on your behalf?



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Did they make a follow-up contact with you?



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Did they hand you a brochure, or offer a phone number?



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Did they do nothing?







What would you like to have happened?





If you were offered these options, would you have taken advantage of it?





Supplemental Reading:





Martha Bebinger, NPR, http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/18/619620769/after-an-overdose-patients-arent-getting-treatments-that-could-prevent-the-next-