NEW ORLEANS – The Obama Administration declared this week National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. Approximately two million people in America abuse prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In response to the national epidemic that has largely revealed itself in New Orleans, Dependency Pain Treatment Centers (DPTC) opens three outpatient medical clinics locally to help those suffering from opioid use disorder, or what DPTC refers to as “Dependency Pain,” DPTC reps said.
“We have brought together leading minds in pain management and addiction medicine to create a quality solution to the opioid epidemic,” said Dan Forman, CEO of DPTC. “This team realized that New Orleans was missing an effective and efficient option for patients seeking medical treatment for their dependency on pain medication and other substances.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), in 2014, more than 28,000 people died from opioid overdose, and at least half of those deaths were prescription opioids. DPTC was created to combat this with a proprietary program that combines medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and smartphone technology, reps said. All services are provided in outpatient medical offices and require a minimal time commitment from patients.
"New Orleans has seen in the first half of 2016, a historic rise in opiate overdoses, outpacing homicides." said Jeffrey Rouse, coroner of Orleans Parish. "I am pleased to see new treatment providers making an investment in our community by opening multiple locations in New Orleans. I look forward to their ability to treat the brain disease of addiction and to prevent unnecessary suffering and death."
DPTC specializes in medically treating patients who have become dependent upon the following medications to relieve their Dependency Pain symptoms: opioids, alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, muscle relaxants, stimulants, synthetics and/or research chemicals. Other Dependency Pain symptoms include: anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate, withdrawal from social activities, decrease in self-esteem, and negative attitudes.
“Prescription medications help many patients manage their pain, but these medications come with risks. People can sometimes develop tolerance, withdrawal, chemical dependency, or even addiction.” said Dr. Arwen Podesta, medical director of Dependency Pain Treatment Centers (DPTC), and author of the book Hooked. “Often, for patients to have successful outcomes, we must re-examine the underlying causes of pain – the psychological, emotional and spiritual suffering that is frequently expressed as physical pain. DPTC is doing just that with its all-star team of physicians, counselors, and specialists.”
“I greatly respect the work that Dr. Podesta and the members of this treatment team have done in our community,” says Dr. Joseph Kanter of New Orleans. “Dependency Pain Treatment Centers, will be a major asset in our fight against painkiller and heroin abuse in New Orleans.”
Currently, DPTC is accepting new patients at three locations throughout the Greater New Orleans. Clinic locations include the Touro Medical Arts Building in Uptown New Orleans, across from Ochsner Medical Center in Kenner, and near West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero.
Individuals can call or text DPTC at (504) 535-7212 to schedule an assessment.
