AMA Alliance to Address Opioid Addiction Issues

/EINPresswire.com/ -- NORTHAMPTON, MA--(Marketwired - June 12, 2016) - Kelly J. Clark, MD, MBA, DFAPA, DFASAM, CMO of CleanSlate Centers and President Elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, spoke today as part of the Opiate Community Forum Panel at the American Medical Association Alliance in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Clark was joined on the panel by Sam Quinones, the author of Dreamland; the States Attorney from Cook County Chicago; and the Captain of the Narcotics Unit of the Chicago Police Department.

"Addiction to opiates, including prescription drugs such as Percocet, Vicodin, and OxyContin is on the rise dramatically across the country, and untreated drug addiction is destroying lives," states Dr. Clark. "Many mistakenly believe that addiction can be cured by willpower alone. In fact, addiction is a chronic brain disease that is best treated in the same way that medical professionals manage all chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Utilizing a combined biological, psychological, and social approach to addiction issues that has proven effective in helping those in need to succeed in managing this challenging disorder."

The Opiate Community Forum Panel met on Sunday, June 12, at 10:20 a.m. and addressed the epidemic of opiate abuse and addiction issues that are devastating communities across the country. Discussion included the place of medication in treating opioid addiction and the role of physicians in diagnosing and treating addiction.

About CleanSlate Centers

CleanSlate Centers was founded in 2009 in response to the growing opioid epidemic facing the country. A network of outpatient addiction treatment centers, CleanSlate provides compassionate, effective, medication assisted treatment and related therapies for patients who have addiction and associated disorders using the highest quality, evidence-based practices.

In recognition of their innovation and effectiveness, CleanSlate's treatment programs received the inaugural 2008 Science and Service Award for Office-based Opioid Treatment by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).

For more information about CleanSlate Centers, visit: www.CleanSlateCenters.com.

CONTACT:
Chris Cooney
Chris@WilMarkGroup.com
407-921-6932