- A new report from Millennium Health shows that nearly every person that tested positive for fentanyl last year also had signs of other substances, and more than 43 percent of fentanyl-positive tests were positive for up to three additional drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin. Researchers said that multiple substances in a person’s body can increase overdose risk and complicate treatment options and that most in-office testing is not equipped to immediately detect each drug. The analysis also noted a geographical trend, with the co-detection of fentanyl and meth being almost 12 times greater on the West Coast in 2022 and at least nine times higher than percentages seen in the eastern part of the country. Angela Huskey, Millennium Health’s chief clinical officer, says the geographic differences in polysubstance use has implications for treatment and suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach might not be successful. (Article here)
February 21, 2023
Opioid/Substance Use Disorders | Tea Leaves