A laboratory in San Diego, California is creating a drug that they hope will combat the opioid epidemic. The Sorrento Valley lab is developing a drug that can be implanted in a patient’s stomach to help them fight opioid addiction. The local company, BioCorRx, said that the drug will be surgically inserted into the patient’s stomach area, where it can release the drug Naltrexone.
Naltrexone helps stop an addicted person’s cravings while also limiting their withdrawal symptoms. This could potentially make it easier for a patient to stay away from addictive drugs while they are in recovery. It also makes drug addiction recovery much safer for them.
In 2018, San Diego County saw more than 500 opioid-related deaths from drugs like Fentanyl. This is why new treatments are being developed all over the country. The opioid epidemic is being considered the worst drug-related health crisis in US history.
BioCorRx’s drug is released into the patient over a span of three months. Developers hope that the time frame gives patients a window of opportunity to get proper treatment as well as counseling. While the drug can provide temporary relief, the patient still needs to get treated so that they can stay sober after the drug wears off.
“Patients tell you how 'I've tried everything,' 'I've spent a hundred thousand dollars on this therapy, this therapy.' This is the only thing that ever worked for me and it was my miracle,” said Brady Granier, CEO of BioCorRx.
In addition to the widely available opioid medications that are responsible for the epidemic, there is a newer, deadlier synthetic opioid that is also becoming worrisome to scientists and developers. Carfentanil, according to experts, is 100 times stronger than Fentanyl and is used to tranquilize large animals such as elephants and rhinos. Even an amount as small as a grain of salt can be deadly.
“It's very worrisome," Granier said.”It doesn't take much to kill people and you know when you're mixing illicit drugs and you're cutting it with carfentanil and someone gets one huge particle, they're done. And you know, all bets are off when you're talking about that so it's going to be a battle with trying to create more potent blockers.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Conover said he already prosecuted a few carfentanil cases in San Diego. In 2017, there were three carfentanil-related deaths. Click the link to see San Diego's top rehab placement programs.
“It's a sad epidemic with the opioids and Fentanyl by itself and carfentanil being even more deadly is certainly a concern to this office and we're doing everything we can to stop it being sent from China and stop it from being distributed here in San Diego,” he said.
Developers at BioCorRx say that they hope their implant can be another tool in bringing the number of opioid-related deaths down. Thousands of Americans die every year because of an opioid overdose. Granier is optimistic that his implant can be an effective blocker. He said it may also be effective in terms of combating alcohol abuse and other drug overdoses.
Conover said that the issue of drug abuse and addiction needs to be tackled from all angles. Simply stopping the flow of synthetic drugs is not enough. Creating new treatments and increasing addiction treatment are also important.
“We cannot simply just arrest our way out of this problem,” he said. If someone in the family is struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against drug abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.
###
For more information about Rehab Near Me: San Diego, contact the company here:
Rehab Near Me: San Diego
+1 858-360-7222
