Why aren't we using the most effective addiction treatments? | Chase Holleman | TEDxGreensboro

There are medications that are effective in helping an individual control addiction yet many health professionals will only accept abstinence as a rational treatment approach. Chase Holleman shares his personal experiences. Chase Holleman, LCSW, LCAS is a social worker specializing in the needs of persons affected by substance use. Chase’s area of focus are recovery oriented systems of care and harm reduction. He brings both personal experience as a person in long-term recovery from drug use and professional experience as an advocate and as a direct service provider. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@warrenholleman7966]

This is an excellent presentation. Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering a better way to help people w/ opioid addiction.

[@nishanthpatil4531]

Oh man thank you so much for this. You spoke the exact words in my heart on this subject. I relate and agree 100%

[@McGuire123100]

Thank u for sharing your very touching, personal story. That takes BALLS! So happy to hear you are helping others. I know they r in good hands! Congratulations!

[@downbntout]

Dang pandemic. This deserves a wide in-person audience. He is correct in describing these medications as "standard of care".

[@NASWNC]

Thank you for being the best of our social work profession, Chase. We need you to do this important work. Thank you.

[@vegetossgss1114]

Finally an amazing Ted talk, that is not another speech promoting woke agenda. You are a hero Chase, you speak for millions of people. I have never done and will hopefully never do drugs, but I have taken antidepressant, and I know that withdrawal can be awful. These so called physician who refuse tu even consider giving you buprenorphine really lack empathy, and let's say, professionalism.

[@janetfoster4233]

Admiration for you, Chase!!

[@melanie4926]

I'm on month 2 of suboxone withdrawal still.

[@landonfox1456]

this guy sounds miserable

[@katlynwebb8474]

I find this appalling that there’s treatments that can help but they won’t implement these treatments to people who need it. the risk of drug addiction would decrease massively

[@jamesdonoghue1077]

This guy should be on a national stage. Just listening to his talk, I can see he could have helped save my son from identical symptoms, experiences. Most regrettable is that one finds somebody like this, and he can’t help those that have od’ but he’s survived and can help the living.

[@vegetossgss1114]

Finally an amazing Ted talk, that is not another speech promoting woke agenda. You are a hero Chase, you speak for millions of people. I have never done and will hopefully never do drugs, but I have taken antidepressant, and I know that withdrawal can be awful. These so called physician who refuse tu even consider giving you buprenorphine really lack empathy, and let's say, professionalism.

[@theKaufmanTapes]

This was the absolute best and most informative talk I have ever heard! We need many more like you, speaking out against this broken health care system. PLEASE in the name of God spread the word! MAT . . Medically Assisted Treatment! United we stand and divided we fall. This is a serious illness and must be treated with medication.. suboxone FREE and methadone freely available to everyone with supportive oversight. In the words of Tiny Tim “God Bless us Everyone”

[@vegetossgss1114]

My english is not very good. Can you please explain me again what he said about the medical staff and why they didn't want to treat him properly?

[@bshu3928]

I thank you for helping to educate society! We have to continue to advocate for MAT. So much work to be done. You have inspired me to do more.

[@vegetossgss1114]

Finally an amazing Ted talk, that is not another speech promoting woke agenda. You are a hero Chase, you speak for millions of people. I have never done and will hopefully never do drugs, but I have taken antidepressant, and I know that withdrawal can be awful. These so called physician who refuse tu even consider giving you buprenorphine really lack empathy, and let's say, professionalism.

[@ashleyhedrick2064]

Chase you are truly inspiring.

[@marcburrows5783]

You greatly improve the field of social work. We need more like you. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Changing minds for sure.

[@AimeeDenise_bct]

So much respect 🙌 to all those helping others heal. 🦋 It's a true calling. I absolutely found my purpose in telling my story of borderline death ☠️ and life implosion 🤯 to healing my brain and body to get my life back! Much luv! 🕉 You can heal!

[@vegetossgss1114]

Finally an amazing Ted talk, that is not another speech promoting woke agenda. You are a hero Chase, you speak for millions of people. I have never done and will hopefully never do drugs, but I have taken antidepressant, and I know that withdrawal can be awful. These so called physician who refuse tu even consider giving you buprenorphine really lack empathy, and let's say, professionalism.

[@ztalbott]

Yes yes yes yes yes! Chase, you are a leader, mover, and shaker. The way you wove your personal story into the science and data was powerful. Methadone and Buprenorphine save lives. I’m honored to know you. I’m also glad you hit the fact that non-profit doesn’t automatically equal better care. There are shoddy for-profits and shoddy non-profits. It’s just a different organizational structure, but both are subject to the same rules. That mandated IOP across the board at the non-profit you mentioned is alllll about the Medicaid and grant $$$$ for those additional services.... and their net revenue is greater per patient than the self-pay program that seemed so expensive. Healthcare in America is broken overall, and it can be seen in outrageous ways in the substance use treatment industry. Soldier on!

[@joyceb5628]

Chase, what you say is so important and its so heartwarming and authentic how you say it. Harm reduction is so necessary and we need more appreciative behavior and treatment to everyone but especially to the people who live in the margin of society. Greetings from germany.

[@stacyellis5370]

Methadone saved my life, after 6 rehabs did nothing but help me make new "friends ". It's a shame that people aren't getting the help available, many times because of misinformation.

[@Ubermensch201]

I've been on methadone for 3 years and i still dont feel normal.. I havent used herion in just as long as I've been on this which is good i guess but I still don't feel normal and I don't think I will until I'm off it.. 70 mgs and I'm starting to tapper but was a little bit of a fight to get them to start lowering the dose, seems like they want me to stay on it

[@gavine2363]

I’m surprised at how many people think going cold turkey is the best treatment

[@ginacheselka6086]

A methadone clinic saved my life six years clean on methadone I have my life back . Thanks for this TedTalk

[@juliagulia9224]

INCREDIBLE talk! I love the comparison to diabetes - such an effective point Edited to add: This might be the best TED Talk I've ever listened to

[@vegetossgss1114]

Finally an amazing Ted talk, that is not another speech promoting woke agenda. You are a hero Chase, you speak for millions of people. I have never done and will hopefully never do drugs, but I have taken antidepressant, and I know that withdrawal can be awful. These so called physician who refuse tu even consider giving you buprenorphine really lack empathy, and let's say, professionalism.

[@stephenpitkin5492]

The lack of a live audience makes the ending feel simply chilling. Thanks for this deeply compelling talk.

[@janekocorek3313]

Yep - I have the best insurance, pays 100% up to 100K.. With that said, I went to the best place possible right? The place cost exactly 100k, imagine that? Met an indigent guy who was homeless and sent there by the court in CA. This rehab is in Oklahoma. When he got there he told me and another resident that he had tossed "a drug" into the plant next to the intake person's desk. Everyone agreed that I would be the "retriever" of said drugs because, well my boobs are bigger than those guys. So off I go and mission complete as planned. Except I took the drugs and was subsequently "busted". Mind you, I never said a word when questioned about who brought what where. But the other guy, when asked narc'ed us both out - that is how they found out. This guy speaking had a difference insurance experience, in this particular case, the establishment does NOT get paid until one graduates the program. If you use on property that is auto removal from property and program, no exceptions. So, when I am questioned, I own up to it and get all but a slap on the wrist. Much to my great horror, I find out that the guy from CA, (the originator) had been kicked out when I was the one who used on the property. He did the right thing and threw them away!!. . He didn't break the rules, I did. It made me furious! Can we be more obvious about who stays and who does not? Remember, whether quit or thrown out, my insurance does not pay if I do not complete the program. The next morning I told them good bye and F Off, that I was leaving for the sole purpose so they would not be paid the 100k. Told them Shame on you MF. I still get letters from them.

[@lauren1149]

Low barrier medication assisted RECOVERY saves lives!

[@loganislit1345]

God Bless You

[@1roomof21]

Thank you

[@jrsupstateny]

Ty! I hope more people see this

[@erichanson9619]

Bup Always helped to get me clean... And ultimately get sober. It''s awesome.

[@reallyjasten]

Naloxone was also an ingredient in said orange film. I don't know how dangerous this could be, but this is un-information at best. Buprenorphine is not recommended as aid for someone experiencing opioid overdose, Naloxone is recommended. Bupe. is commonly administered with Naloxone but not always so we should be careful.

[@breytonmcdole1587]

Naloxone is combined with buprenorphine in the sublingual form essentially to raise the melting point. It prevents the orange films from being turned into a liquid and injected. Other compounds could do this, but in case someone struggling with opioid use disorder were to try and take many buprenorphine doses at once, the naloxone could also serve to prevent an overdose.