How a new option for fentanyl treatment is changing lives

For people addicted to fentanyl, the desire to quit is often overshadowed by the fear of withdrawal. Incredible nerve pain, diarrhea, chills, vomiting. It’s been likened to the worst flu you’ve ever experienced.  Buprenorphine, the medication often used to aid in easing addiction, can trigger withdrawal symptoms, making it tough for patients to continue treatment.  Here in Seattle, Downtown Emergency Service Center, or DESC, has been trying a new method of administering buprenorphine to ease treatment and curb cravings -- and it’s showing some promising results.  Guests: Jeremy Hoog, senior nurse manager at DESC's Opioid Recovery and Care Access. Carson Bell is a care navigator at DESC. Related Links:  Substance Use Disorder Treatment - DESC Seattle nonprofit rolling out potential ‘game changer’ for fentanyl addiction | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.