Speaker Name: Dr. J Stryder ZoBell
Session Description:
Underserved populations can experience the highest risk of repeat overdoses, often ‘falling through the cracks’ due to significant barriers which create challenges in meeting traditional program requirements and expectations. To best support this population, innovations in treatment as well as opioid agonist therapy (OAT) provision is essential to ensure these patients can access programs that meet their unique needs and reduce their risk of overdose and fatality, affording them a path forward to recovery.
The use of long-acting injectable buprenorphine is an effective, timely, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for patients experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD). Via the utilization of groundbreaking initiation techniques with long-acting injectable buprenorphine, patients experiencing complex medical concerns, multiple social inequities, and high risk of opioid overdose are able to engage with programs while seeking recovery.
This presentation aims to show the benefits of long-acting injectable buprenorphine utilization as a harm reduction modality with the goal of saving lives.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the risk profiles of underserved populations.
- Recognize the challenges with other OAT methodologies in harm-reduction environments.
- Recognize the benefits of long-acting injectable buprenorphine as a harm reduction modality in comparison to other OAT options.
References:
A guide to the use of depot buprenorphine. (n.d.). https://www.metaphi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Guide_DepotBuprenorphine.pdf
Day, N., Wass, M., & Smith, K. (2022). Virtual opioid agonist treatment: Alberta’s virtual opioid dependency program and outcomes. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-022-00323-4
Garpenhag, L., & Dahlman, D. (2021). Perceived healthcare stigma among patients in opioid substitution treatment: a qualitative study. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-021-00417-3
Olofsen E, Algera MH, Moss L, Dobbins RL, Groeneveld GJ, van Velzen M, et al. Modeling buprenorphine reduction of fentanyl-induced respiratory depression. JCI Insight [Internet]. 2022 May 9;7(9). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9090248/pdf/jciinsight-7-156973.pdf
BIO
Dr. J Stryder ZoBell, MBA, MD, CCFP, ISAM, ABPM, Medical Directory of the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program. Dr ZoBell has been working in Addictions Medicine and VODP since 2019. He has worked in multiple different fields, including being the team lead for the Low Barrier Urgency Access team, the Prenatal and Ante-partum Team for the VODP, co-medical lead for Red Deer Recovery Community Rehabilitation Centre, the Red Deer Narcotic Transition Service Team, and the addiction medical lead consultant for several Remands. He is currently the lead addiction medical liaison for the Northreach Society. He has continued involvement in research and innovative projects within the field of addiction medicine. Husband to a wonderful wife, and father of three beautiful children.