Doctors 'part of the problem' in opioid overdose crisis, says Doctors of B.C. 's new president

The new president of Doctors of B.C. is calling out doctors for their part in the addiction crisis that's led to a current average of two drug-related deaths daily in B.C.

Not all those deaths involved prescription opiates, but Dr. Alan Ruddiman says —  far too many fatalities do.

He says doctors need to make sure they remain highly aware that opioids are addictive, be clear they are not a pain panacea and respond to patients experiencing addiction as they would any valid medical issue.

"Doctors are part of the problem," Ruddiman said.

Stop stigma, find treatment options

While Ruddiman urges patients to open up to doctors if they are struggling with addiction, he also urges doctors to "really listen," suspend judgement and offer long-term, evidence-based recovery solutions.

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Ruddiman agrees that patients labelled as "drug-seekers" often face stigma, get denied medication, and feed their habit from illegal sources.

"We need to stop labelling. We need to recognize that addiction is a substance use disorder. It's a medical condition. It's no different than diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease," he said.

We need to recognize that addiction is a substance use disorder. It's a medical condition. It's no different than diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease.- Doctors of B.C. head Alan Ruddiman

Doctors need to approach opioids carefully, being aware the substances are addictive and explain to patients that they are not "pain killers." All they can do is reduce pain, he said.

Ruddiman there is always need for more resources, but given what is available, patients that are open to healing should be guided toward:

• Exercise.
• Physical Therapy.
• Counselling.
• Mindfulness.
• Evidence-based replacement therapies such as Suboxone or methadone.

"Here is what worries me, Canada has the second highest opioid consumption, not in the developed world but in the entire world. Prescription opioid use has tripled  over the last 10 years," Ruddiman told Stephen Quinn, of CBC's the Early Edition.

"None of us should be walking around as that Pink Floyd song goes, 'comfortably numb.' I think we've got a place right now where society is seeking sometimes instant gratification," he said.

"But when it comes to complex pain the strategies to manage and treat that are way more complex."

Know your patient, if possible

Ruddiman says good longer-term relationships between patients and doctors help solve a lot of problem. He is concerned about emergency rooms and walk-in clinics that may see patients only once. 

"None of us should be walking around as that Pink Floyd song goes, 'comfortably numb.'- Dr. Alan Ruddiman

It's also crucial to reassure patients about the confidentiality of whatever they share with their doctor, he said after listening to an anonymous addict who feared admitting her addiction would "follow her around the rest of her life."

"The doctor-patient relationship is sacred," said Ruddiman.

No information shared with a doctor can be shared with another party, other than another doctor, without the person's consent.

With files from Catherine Rolfsen