The Prescription-to-Street Pipeline
A common story: pain after surgery, a 30-day Percocet prescription, dependence by week three, insurance won't cover refills, transition to heroin or counterfeit oxy pills (which now frequently contain fentanyl). The first step of treatment is the same regardless of how someone got there — medical detox, then residential.
Chronic Pain Alongside Opioid Dependence
Many callers still have the underlying pain condition that started the opioid use. The programs we refer to with integrated dual-diagnosis and pain-management capacity can address both — through non-opioid pain modalities, physical therapy, and carefully managed MAT.
MAT for Prescription Opioid Dependence
Buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and in some cases methadone are evidence-based options. Under NJ parity law, coverage for MAT cannot be more restrictive than coverage for other chronic-condition medications.