{"id":14864,"date":"2026-01-07T10:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/?p=14864"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:03:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:03:03","slug":"inside-the-battle-for-the-future-of-addiction-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/?p=14864","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Battle for the Future of Addiction Medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>\n\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"fullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/player\/embed\/nx-s1-5660694\/nx-s1-9597777\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<p>NEW ORLEANS \u2014 Elyse Stevens had a popularity for taking over advanced medical circumstances. Individuals who\u2019d been battling dependancy for many years. Continual-pain sufferers on excessive doses of opioids. Intercourse employees and folks dwelling on the road.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLots of my sufferers are messy, those that don\u2019t know in the event that they need to cease utilizing medicine or not,\u201d stated Stevens, a main care and dependancy drugs physician.<\/p>\n<p>Whereas different medical doctors averted these sufferers, Stevens \u2014 who was aware of town from her time in medical college at Tulane College \u2014 sought them out. She repeatedly attended 6 a.m. breakfasts for homeless folks, volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic on Saturdays, and, on Monday evenings, visited an deserted Household Greenback retailer the place advocates distributed provides to individuals who use medicine.<\/p>\n<p>One such night about 4 years in the past, Charmyra Harrell arrived there limping, her proper leg swollen and coated in sores. Emergency room medical doctors had repeatedly dismissed her, so she eased the ache with avenue medicine, Harrell stated.<\/p>\n<p>Stevens cleaned her sores on Mondays for months till lastly persuading Harrell to go to the clinic at College Medical Heart New Orleans. There, Stevens found Harrell had diabetes and most cancers.<\/p>\n<p>She agreed to prescribe Harrell ache medicine \u2014 an choice many medical doctors would routinely dismiss for concern {that a} affected person with a historical past of dependancy would misuse it.<\/p>\n<p>However Stevens was assured Harrell may maintain up her finish of the deal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe advised me, \u2018You can&#8217;t do medicine and do your ache meds,\u2019\u201d Harrell recounted on a Monday night in October. So, \u201cI\u2019m now not on cocaine.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"block--side-by-side-photo alignwide \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns side-by-side__columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?w=770&amp;h=513&amp;crop=1\" class=\"wp-image-2136477 size-khn-article-large attachment-khn-article-large\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=1270,846 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Charmyra_Harrell_2.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\"\/><!-- image-left --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCharmyra Harrell met Elyse Stevens outdoors an deserted Household Greenback retailer in one in every of New Orleans\u2019 poorest neighborhoods, the place Stevens was offering free medical care. Harrell ultimately grew to become an everyday affected person at Stevens\u2019 clinic at College Medical Heart New Orleans. She credit Stevens with diagnosing her diabetes and most cancers and serving to her cease utilizing cocaine.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?w=770&amp;h=513&amp;crop=1\" class=\"wp-image-2136487 size-khn-article-large attachment-khn-article-large\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg 3252w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=1270,847 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Ronald_Major-1.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\"\/><!-- image-right --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWithin the morning earlier than her day job as a main care and dependancy drugs physician, Stevens repeatedly attended breakfasts for homeless folks at a New Orleans nonprofit. There, she helped folks with all the pieces from acquiring blood stress medicine to addressing advanced dependancy points. Her former affected person Ronald Main says Stevens handled him like household.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block block--newsletter  \" data-type=\"kaiser-health-news\/newsletter\" data-align=\"center\" style=\"\">\n<h4 class=\"newsletter__title\">\n\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/email\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail Sign-Up\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t<\/h4>\n<p class=\"newsletter__description\">\n\t\tSubscribe to KFF Well being Information&#8217; free Morning Briefing.\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Stevens\u2019 method to affected person care has received her awards and nominations in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu\/pulse_archive\/2021_12\/dec_2021_som_achievements_awards_and_honors.aspx#:~:text=Dr.%20Elyse%20Stevens%20(Section%20of%20Community%20and%20Population%20Medicine)%20was%20awarded%20%E2%80%9CAttending%20Physician%20of%20the%20Quarter%2C%202nd%20Quarter%2C%202021%E2%80%9D%20by%20University%20Medical%20Center%2C%20New%20Orleans.\">medicine<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu\/DOM\/March%2022%202024%20DOM_email.pdf\">community service<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu\/pulse_archive\/2023_06\/june_2023_awards_honors.aspx#:~:text=Dr.%20Elyse%20Stevens%20(Community,overwhelmingly%20chose%20Dr.%20Stevens.\">humanism<\/a>. As a substitute of seeing sufferers in binaries \u2014 addicted or sober, with a constructive or destructive drug take a look at \u2014 she measures progress on a spectrum. Are they showering day by day, cooking with their households, utilizing much less fentanyl than the day earlier than?<\/p>\n<p>However not everybody agrees with this versatile method that prioritizes working with sufferers on their objectives, even when abstinence isn\u2019t one in every of them. And it got here to a head in the summertime of 2024.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe identical issues I used to be high-fived for hundreds of instances \u2014 abruptly that was dangerous,\u201d Stevens stated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>Versatile Care or Slippery Slope?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Greater than <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/NSDUH 2024 Annual Release\/2024-nsduh-nnr-highlights.pdf#page=4\">80% of Americans<\/a> who want substance use remedy don\u2019t obtain it, nationwide knowledge exhibits. Obstacles abound: excessive prices, lack of transportation, clinic hours which might be incompatible with jobs, concern of being mistreated.<\/p>\n<p>Some medical doctors had been making an attempt to ease the method for years. Covid-19 accelerated that development. Telehealth appointments, fewer urine drug assessments, and medicine refills that last more grew to become the norm.<\/p>\n<p>The outcome?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSufferers did OK and we truly reached extra folks,\u201d stated <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asam.org\/about-us\/leadership\/board-of-directors\/biography-brian-hurley\">Brian Hurley<\/a>, quick previous president of the American Society of Dependancy Drugs. The group helps persevering with versatile practices, comparable to serving to sufferers keep away from withdrawal signs by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/journaladdictionmedicine\/fulltext\/2023\/11000\/asam_clinical_considerations__buprenorphine.2.aspx\">prescribing higher-than-traditional doses<\/a> of dependancy medicine and specializing in restoration objectives <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asam.org\/quality-care\/clinical-recommendations\/asam-clinical-considerations-for-engagement-and-retention-of-non-abstinent-patients-in-treatment\">other than abstinence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"block--side-by-side-photo alignwide \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns side-by-side__columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:705px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?w=770&amp;h=513&amp;crop=1\" class=\"wp-image-2136494 size-khn-article-large attachment-khn-article-large\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=1270,846 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Bey_2.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\"\/><!-- image-left --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStevens, a main care and dependancy drugs physician, and her husband, Aquil Bey, a paramedic, focus on affected person circumstances at a group breakfast for homeless folks in New Orleans. Bey based Freestanding Communities, a corporation by which volunteers present fundamental medical care and referrals for people who find themselves homeless, utilizing medicine, or a part of susceptible communities.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:705px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?w=770&amp;h=513&amp;crop=1\" class=\"wp-image-2136547 size-khn-article-large attachment-khn-article-large\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=1270,847 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Narcan.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\"\/><!-- image-right --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStevens and Bey usually labored with folks with dependancy on the streets of New Orleans, all the time preserving readily available the drug naloxone, which might reverse opioid overdoses.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However some medical doctors want conventional approaches that vary from zero tolerance for sufferers utilizing unlawful medicine to setting stiff penalties for many who don\u2019t meet their medical doctors\u2019 expectations. For instance, a affected person who assessments constructive for avenue medicine whereas getting outpatient care can be discharged and advised to go to residential rehab. Proponents of this technique concern loosening restrictions could possibly be a slippery slope that in the end harms sufferers. They are saying persevering with to prescribe painkillers, for instance, to folks utilizing illicit substances long-term may normalize drug use and hamper the objective of getting folks off unlawful medicine.<\/p>\n<p>Progress must be greater than preserving sufferers in care, stated <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/profiles.stanford.edu\/keith-humphreys\">Keith Humphreys<\/a>, a Stanford psychologist, who has handled and researched dependancy for many years and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/09\/02\/opinion\/forced-drug-treatment-rehab.html\">supports involuntary treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn case you give addicted folks a lot of medicine, they prefer it, and so they could come again,\u201d he stated. \u201cHowever that doesn\u2019t imply that that&#8217;s selling their well being over time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Versatile practices additionally are inclined to align with hurt discount, a divisive method that proponents say retains individuals who use medicine secure and that critics \u2014 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/rollcall.com\/2025\/08\/05\/harm-reduction-techniques-being-phased-out-under-trump\/\">including the Trump administration<\/a> \u2014 say allows unlawful drug use.<\/p>\n<p>The talk isn&#8217;t just philosophical. For Stevens and her sufferers, it got here to bear on the streets of New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>\u2018Unconventional\u2019 Prescribing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the summertime of 2024, supervisors began questioning Stevens\u2019 method.<\/p>\n<p>In emails reviewed by KFF Well being Information, they expressed issues about her prescribing too many ache capsules, a mixture of opioids and different managed substances to the identical sufferers, and excessive doses of buprenorphine, a medicine thought-about <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naco.org\/resource\/osc-mat#:~:text=Treating%20OUD%20with%20opioid%20medications%20(methadone%20and%20buprenorphine%2C%20specifically)%20has%20long%20been%20considered%20the%20gold%2Dstandard%20of%20care\">the gold standard<\/a> to deal with opioid dependancy.<\/p>\n<p>Supervisors apprehensive Stevens wasn\u2019t doing sufficient urine drug assessments and stored treating sufferers who used illicit medicine as an alternative of referring them to increased ranges of care.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHer prescribing sample seems unconventional in comparison with the native commonplace of care,\u201d the hospital\u2019s chief medical officer on the time wrote to Stevens\u2019 supervisor, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu\/DOM\/Sections\/Community-Medicine\/faculty\/springgate_benjamin.aspx\">Benjamin Springgate<\/a>. \u201cBe aware that that is the one commonplace of care which might possible be thought-about ought to a authorized concern come up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Springgate forwarded that e-mail to Stevens and inspired her to refer extra sufferers to methadone clinics, intensive outpatient care, and inpatient rehab.<\/p>\n<p>Stevens understood the overall apply however couldn\u2019t reconcile it with the fact her sufferers confronted. How would somebody dwelling in a tent, terrified of dropping their possessions, trek to a methadone clinic day by day?<\/p>\n<p>Stevens despatched her supervisors <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35322965\/\">dozens<\/a> of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2793293\">research<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0955395924000240\">studies<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sitefinitystorage.blob.core.windows.net\/sitefinity-production-blobs\/docs\/default-source\/guidelines\/npg-jam-supplement.pdf?sfvrsn=a00a52c2_2\">national<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/system\/files\/Dosage_Reduction_Discontinuation.pdf\">treatment<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/library.samhsa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/tip-35-pep19-02-01-003.pdf\">guidelines<\/a> backing her versatile method. She defined that if she stopped prescribing the medicines of concern, sufferers may go away the well being system, however they wouldn\u2019t disappear.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey simply wouldn\u2019t be getting care and maybe they\u2019d be useless,\u201d she stated in an interview with KFF Well being Information.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2559\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=1270,846 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/UMC_1.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3840px) 100vw, 3840px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">College Medical Heart New Orleans is likely one of the largest hospitals within the metropolis. The $1.2 billion facility opened in 2015. <span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Each College Medical Heart and LSU Well being New Orleans, which employs physicians on the hospital, declined repeated requests for interviews. They didn&#8217;t reply to detailed questions on dependancy remedy or Stevens\u2019 practices.<\/p>\n<p>As a substitute, they supplied a joint assertion from Richard DiCarlo, dean of the LSU Well being New Orleans College of Drugs, and Jeffrey Elder, chief medical officer of College Medical Heart New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe aren&#8217;t at liberty to remark publicly on inside personnel points,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe acknowledge that dependancy is a critical public well being downside, and that dependancy remedy is a problem for the healthcare trade,\u201d they stated. \u201cWe stay devoted to increasing entry to remedy, whereas upholding the very best commonplace of care and security for all sufferers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>Not Black-and-White<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>KFF Well being Information shared the complaints in opposition to Stevens and the responses she\u2019d written for supervisors with two dependancy drugs medical doctors outdoors of Louisiana, who had no affiliation with Stevens. Each discovered her practices to be inside the bounds of regular dependancy care, particularly for advanced sufferers.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cedarrecovery.com\/dr-stephen-loyd\/\">Stephen Loyd<\/a>, an dependancy drugs physician and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/health\/health-program-areas\/health-professional-boards\/me-board\/me-board\/members.html\">president of Tennessee\u2019s medical licensing board<\/a>, stated medical doctors operating tablet mills sometimes have sparse affected person notes that listing a chief grievance of ache. However Stevens\u2019 notes detailed sufferers\u2019 life circumstances and the intricate selections she was making with them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo me, that\u2019s the massive distinction,\u201d Loyd stated.<\/p>\n<p>Some folks assume the \u201csolely good reply isn&#8217;t any opioids,\u201d comparable to oxycodone or hydrocodone, for any sufferers, stated <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/obgyn.msu.edu\/research\/research-faculty\/cara-poland\">Cara Poland<\/a>, an dependancy drugs physician and affiliate professor at Michigan State College. However sufferers might have them \u2014 generally for issues like most cancers ache \u2014 or require months to decrease their doses safely, she stated. \u201cIt\u2019s not as black-and-white as folks outdoors our discipline need it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Humphreys, the Stanford psychologist, had a special take. He didn&#8217;t assessment Stevens\u2019 case however stated, as a common apply, there are dangers to prescribing painkillers long-term, particularly for sufferers utilizing immediately\u2019s deadly avenue medicine too.<\/p>\n<p>Overprescribing fueled the opioid disaster, he stated. \u201cIt\u2019s not going to go away if we do this once more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>\u2018The Factor That Kills Individuals\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After months of pressure, Stevens\u2019 supervisors advised her on March 10 to cease coming to work. The hospital was conducting a assessment of her practices, they stated in an e-mail seen by KFF Well being Information.<\/p>\n<p>In a single day, tons of of her sufferers had been moved to different suppliers.<\/p>\n<p>Luka Bair had been seeing Stevens for 3 years and was secure on day by day buprenorphine.<\/p>\n<p>After Stevens\u2019 departure, Bair was left with out medicine for 3 days. The withdrawal signs had been extreme \u2014 headache, nausea, muscle cramps.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI used to be simply in bodily hell,\u201d stated Bair, who works for the Nationwide Hurt Discount Coalition and makes use of they\/them pronouns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"block--side-by-side-photo alignwide \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns side-by-side__columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:705px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2136497 size-full attachment-full\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg 3472w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=113,150 113w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=375,500 375w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=768,1023 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=954,1270 954w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=1153,1536 1153w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=1538,2048 1538w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=120,160 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=170,226 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=300,400 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=500,666 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=315,420 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=630,839 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_1.jpg?resize=1200,1598 1200w\"\/><!-- image-left --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLuka Bair was a affected person at College Medical Heart New Orleans\u2019 Built-in Well being Clinic for years, receiving prescriptions for a day by day medicine to deal with opioid dependancy. However after Bair\u2019s physician was pressured out of the well being system, the prescription lapsed and Bair suffered withdrawal signs, describing them as \u201cbodily hell.\u201d \t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:705px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2136499 size-full attachment-full\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg 3472w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=113,150 113w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=375,500 375w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=768,1023 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=954,1270 954w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=1153,1536 1153w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=1538,2048 1538w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=120,160 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=170,226 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=300,400 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=500,666 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=315,420 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=630,839 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Luka_Bair_2.jpg?resize=1200,1598 1200w\"\/><!-- image-right --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBair holds a movie of buprenorphine, a day by day medicine thought-about the gold commonplace to deal with opioid dependancy.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Though Bair ultimately bought a refill, Springgate, Stevens\u2019 supervisor, didn\u2019t need to proceed the routine long-term. As a substitute, Springgate referred Bair to extra intensive and residential applications, citing Bair\u2019s intermittent use of different medicine, together with benzodiazepines and cocaine, as markers of excessive danger. Bair \u201crequires the next stage of care than our clinic fairly can provide,\u201d Springgate wrote in affected person portal notes reviewed by KFF Well being Information.<\/p>\n<p>However Bair stated day by day attendance at these applications was incompatible with their full-time job. They left the clinic, with 30 days to discover a new physician or run out of medicine once more.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is the factor that kills folks,\u201d stated Bair, who ultimately discovered one other physician prepared to prescribe.<\/p>\n<p>Springgate didn&#8217;t reply to repeated calls and emails requesting remark.<\/p>\n<p>College Medical Heart and LSU Well being New Orleans didn&#8217;t reply questions on discharging Stevens\u2019 sufferers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>\u2018Reckless Habits\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A few month after Stevens was advised to remain house, Haley Beavers Khoury, a medical scholar who labored along with her, had collected practically 100 letters from different college students, medical doctors, sufferers, and homelessness service suppliers calling for Stevens\u2019 return.<\/p>\n<p>One scholar wrote, \u201cMake no mistake \u2014 a few of her sufferers will die with out her.\u201d A nun from the Daughters of Charity, which ran <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nolaem.com\/hospitals#:~:text=UMC%20continues%20the%20near%20300%20year%20legacy%20of%20Charity%20Hospital%20and%20proudly%20serves%20as%20the%20only%20safety%2Dnet%20hospital%20for%20the%20people%20of%20New%20Orleans.\">the hospital\u2019s previous incarnation<\/a>, known as Stevens a \u201clifeline\u201d for susceptible sufferers.<\/p>\n<p>Beavers Khoury stated she despatched the letters to about 10 folks in hospital and medical college management. Most didn&#8217;t reply.<\/p>\n<p>In Might, the hospital\u2019s assessment committee decided Stevens\u2019 practices fell \u201coutdoors of the suitable group requirements\u201d and constituted \u201creckless habits,\u201d in response to a letter despatched to Stevens.<\/p>\n<p>The hospital didn&#8217;t reply KFF Well being Information\u2019 questions on the way it reached this conclusion or if it recognized any affected person hurt.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2559\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=500,333 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=1270,846 1270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=770,513 770w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=840,560 840w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=370,247 370w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=270,180 270w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=170,113 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=100,67 100w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=120,80 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=1170,780 1170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=200,134 200w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=315,210 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Stevens_2.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3840px) 100vw, 3840px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After Stevens was advised to cease coming to work, college students, different medical doctors, sufferers, and homelessness service suppliers wrote letters calling for her return. One scholar wrote, \u201cMake no mistake \u2014 a few of her sufferers will die with out her.\u201d<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the meantime, Stevens had secured a job at one other New Orleans hospital. However as a result of her resignation got here amid the continuing investigation, College Medical Heart stated it was required to tell the state\u2019s medical licensing board.<\/p>\n<p>The medical board started its personal investigation \u2014 a growth that ultimately value Stevens the opposite job provide.<\/p>\n<p>In presenting her aspect to the medical board, Stevens repeated many arguments she\u2019d made earlier than. Sure, she was prescribing highly effective medicines. No, she wasn\u2019t making medical selections based mostly on urine drug assessments. However nationwide dependancy organizations supported such practices and promoted tailoring care to sufferers\u2019 circumstances, she stated. Her response included a 10-page bibliography with 98 citations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong>Legal responsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The board\u2019s investigation into Stevens is ongoing. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/online.lasbme.org\/#\/disciplinary\">Its website<\/a> exhibits no motion taken in opposition to her license as of late December.<\/p>\n<p>The board declined to touch upon each Stevens\u2019 case and its definition of applicable dependancy remedy.<\/p>\n<p>In October, Stevens moved to the Virgin Islands to work in inside drugs at an area hospital. She stated she\u2019s grateful for the welcoming locals and the monetary stability to assist herself and her mother and father.<\/p>\n<p>However it hurts to think about her former sufferers in New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier than leaving, Stevens packed away handwritten letters from a number of of them \u2014 one was 15 pages lengthy, written in alternating inexperienced and purple marker \u2014 by which they shared childhood traumas and small successes that they had whereas in remedy along with her.<\/p>\n<p>Stevens doesn\u2019t know what occurred to these sufferers after she left.<\/p>\n<p>She believes the scrutiny of her practices facilities on legal responsibility greater than affected person security.<\/p>\n<p>However, she stated, \u201clegal responsibility is in abandoning folks too.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"block--side-by-side-photo alignwide \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns side-by-side__columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:649.77745406041px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_Fire_Pit_1.jpg?w=770&amp;h=1200&amp;crop=1\" class=\"wp-image-2136517 size-khn-article-tall attachment-khn-article-tall\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\"\/><!-- image-left --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn October, Stevens determined to depart New Orleans. After years of award-winning work as a main care and dependancy drugs physician within the metropolis, she was abruptly beneath scrutiny by the state\u2019s medical licensing board. Earlier than she left, she and her household burned her previous prescription pads as \u201ca ceremonial dying of an previous life and start of a brand new starting,\u201d she says.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column side-by-side__column\" style=\"flex-basis:760.22254593959px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image side-by-side__block-image side-by-side__block-image--right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2136520 size-full attachment-full\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg 2883w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=113,150 113w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=375,500 375w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=768,1023 768w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=953,1270 953w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=1153,1536 1153w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=1538,2048 1538w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=120,160 120w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=170,226 170w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=300,400 300w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=500,666 500w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=315,420 315w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=630,839 630w, https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Elyse_and_Mom_1.jpg?resize=1200,1598 1200w\"\/><!-- image-right --><figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStevens says goodbye to her mother, Mary Chaput, as they half methods on one in every of Stevens\u2019 remaining days in New Orleans. Stevens cherished dwelling and dealing within the metropolis as an award-winning dependancy drugs physician. However in 2025, the Louisiana medical licensing board started investigating her practices. She felt she needed to go away the state to proceed working.\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"photo-credit\">(Aneri Pattani\/KFF Well being Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"meta-authors meta\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"author-name\">Aneri Pattani: <\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/news\/article\/addiction-medicine-harm-reduction-opioids-louisiana-doctor-battle\/mailto:apattani@kff.org\">apattani@kff.org<\/a>,\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/aneripattani\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t@aneripattani<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<section class=\"block--category-tag-list \">\n<div class=\"category-tag-list__content-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"block--category-tag-list__title\">\n\t\t\t\tAssociated Matters\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"category-tag-list__contact-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/contact-us\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tContact Us\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"category-tag-list__tip-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/tips\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tSubmit a Story Tip\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/news\/article\/addiction-medicine-harm-reduction-opioids-louisiana-doctor-battle\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEW ORLEANS \u2014 Elyse Stevens had a popularity for taking over advanced medical circumstances. Individuals who\u2019d been battling dependancy for many years. Continual-pain sufferers on excessive doses of opioids. Intercourse employees and folks dwelling on the road. \u201cLots of my sufferers are messy, those that don\u2019t know in the event that they need to cease [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[556,3129,142,2687],"class_list":["post-14864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-addiction","tag-battle","tag-future","tag-medicine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14864"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14866,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14864\/revisions\/14866"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/org-store.store\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}