The Role of Primary Care Doctors in Addressing Opioid Addiction

The opioid epidemic is a major public health crisis in Australia with over 10,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, the majority of which involved opioids.

Primary care doctors play a critical role in addressing the opioid epidemic since they are the first point of contact for many people struggling with opioid addiction, and they can provide a range of services to help these patients get the treatment they need.

The most important thing a primary care doctor can do is to screen their patients for opioid use disorder.

This can be done by asking patients about their pain management practices and their history of substance use.

If they suspect that a patient may have opioid addiction, they can offer treatment options, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or counseling.

MAT is a combination of medication and counseling that helps treat opioid addiction. The medications used in MAT, such as Buprenorphine and Methadone, help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling, on the other hand, helps to address underlying issues that led to addiction in the first place, such as mental health problems or trauma.

In addition to that, Primary Care Doctors can provide other services to help patients with opioid addiction, such as:

• Managing chronic pain without opioids
• Referring patients to specialized treatment programs
• Providing medications that can reverse opioid overdose and;
• Educating patients and their families about opioid addiction

These services can save lives and improve the quality of life for people with opioid addiction.

The Importance of Online Medical Certificates

Online medical certificates have been a game changer since the pandemic, providing remote access to those wishing to access telehealth facilities without physical contact.

The certificates are known to save time and transportation costs which is especially useful for individuals living in remote areas or in exceptionally bad health.

If the opioid use is in its preliminary stages, rest is essential towards recovery. This is where online medical certificates come into play as with or without a telehealth call a user can obtain them for one or more days and let their body fight off the withdrawals and accompanying fatigue.

Applying for a certificate online also helps to manage feelings of shame and anxiety as a face to face interaction is not necessary to obtain it.

However, certificates may not be admissible for those suffering from more chronic addiction problems without an in person examination and tests may be required so as to decide a better course of action if the user’s health is in danger.

Check out how to get your doctor’s certificate online with ease and learn more about how medical certificates are revolutionizing healthcare in Australia today!