New Mexico Medical Society Helps Break the Opioid Abuse Cycle

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Jul 25, 2016, 11:00 ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico rose to 547 in 2014, giving the state the dubious honor of the second highest rate in the nation.

In response, physicians are invited to complete a free Buprenorphine Waiver Training offered by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry for 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ in partnership with the New Mexico Medical Society, Project ECHO, NM Hispanic Medical Association, NM Hospital Association, and others.

Buprenorphine is used in medication-assisted treatment to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates. Buprenorphine is permitted to be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing treatment access.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. At low doses Buprenorphine produces sufficient agonist effect to enable opioid-addicted individuals to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. At the appropriate dose, treatment may decrease cravings for opioids, block the effects of other opioids, and help patients stay in treatment.

The first half of the NM training is taken online and the second half is completed in person. The online portion must be completed before the live course on August 19^th.

Upon registration, you will receive a link to the online portion of the course to be completed prior to the face-to-face portion.

The face-to-face portion will be held on August 19^th from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Sandia Resort in Albuquerque, NM. There is no charge for this important educational offering.

New Mexico Medical Society is the professional organization for medical and osteopathic doctors in the state. www.nmms.org

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by Providers' Clinical Support System for Medication Assisted Treatment (5U79T1024697) from SAMSHA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.

SOURCE New Mexico Medical Society