Wayne Memorial Psychiatrist Publishes Article – Calls for Study on Long-term Medication Use for Substance Disorders

Honesdale, PA (February 6, 2020)— Michael Campbell, MD, FAPA, FAAFP, Medical Director of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Behavioral Health Department in Honesdale, recently published an article in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, a web-based publication focused on treatments for mental and neurological illnesses.  The article, entitled “Recurrent Use of Implantable Buprenorphine,” detailed the case of a patient who benefited from the medication long past the one-year limit recommended by the FDA.  The medication, used for substance use addiction, is given in six-month doses.

“Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers has the distinction of being one of the first centers in Pennsylvania to utilize the six-month buprenorphine implant, Probuphine,” stated Dr. Campbell, adding that the patient mentioned above, who was given seven consecutive implants with no adverse effects also represents “the longest consistent usage of Probuphine that had ever been reported in scientific literature.”

According to Dr. Campbell, the implant offers benefits such as assured compliance and consistency of drug level in the blood stream.  Additionally, patients report positive experiences in terms of more stable mood and freedom from oral dosing. Dr. Campbell’s patient suffered no complications from the prolonged usage and today “leads a productive life.”

Noting that the country is in the midst of an opioid crisis, and that insurance coverage often follows FDA approvals, Dr. Campbell hopes his article will prompt further study of the implant’s usage beyond the FDA recommended time.

The Honesdale Behavioral Health Center, located at 600 Maple Avenue, Suite 15, Honesdale, has been offering Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) since 2012, to treat patients suffering from opioid, alcohol, tobacco, stimulant, sedative, cocaine and marijuana use disorders.  Staff consists of multiple addiction specialists, including nurses, nurse practitioners, certified peer recovery specialists, certified addiction therapists and Board Certified addiction physicians/psychiatrists.

“The Center has roughly 100 patients receiving MAT,” said Dr. Campbell, “However, we treat significantly more than that number through one-on-one counseling, therapy groups and other medication services. We strive to meet the patient where he or she is in the recovery process and proceed with any and all modalities that advance them toward the goal of sobriety.”