“..The thriving black market for suboxone speaks volumes about how hard life can be for addicts in this country.
Joe*, a publicist living in New York City, doesn’t want to buy his prescription drugs on the black market.
It’s just that he doesn’t really have another choice.
As a recovering drug addict, 23-year-old Joe has spent almost three years successfully managing his former oxycontin addiction with suboxone – a prescription medication that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms for drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers.
He first began suboxone when he was in college and was able to receive free treatment and prescriptions.
But since graduation, the cost of obtaining his treatment legally has become unaffordable – largely because of the American healthcare system.
“Recently, I paid $100 for 20 [dissolvable suboxone] strips.
That will last me over a year,” said Joe, “Now, if I were to go to a doctor, it would cost $300 cash just to walk in and see the doctor for the first time..”
(cont..)
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Health Care Disaster: Why Drug Dealers Are Competing with Doctors to Help Addicts | Alternet.
