Opioid Overdose Crisis (III)

Carol Ott, Pharm.D., BCPP - Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University College of Pharmacy and Residency Program Director for the Eskenazi Health/Purdue University PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program - discusses how sigma adversely impacts patients with opioid use disorder and how the BoilerwoRx program is helping to address the opioid crises at the community level.

Key Lessons

• Health professionals too often use stigmatizing language when describing patients with a substance use disorder and their behaviors.
• We need to critically examine our unconscious biases toward patients with substance use disorder.
• Substance use disorders are most often co-morbid with other mental health conditions.
• Needle exchange programs are an evidence-based intervention that can reduce harm by preventing the spread of infectious diseases and be an important touchpoint to get people into treatment.
• There are numerous ways pharmacists can help patients with substance use disorders - approaching them with empathy, volunteering, and using evidence-based resources to guide care and combat misinformation.

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