Program Helps Fulton Inmates Safely Withdraw From Opioids

FULTON COUNTY, GA — As the opioid epidemic continues its grip on America, each day hundreds of people addicted to these drugs are booked into jails across the country. Deprived of access to illegal drugs, inmates soon begin the dangerous process of drug withdrawal.

NaphCare, the correctional healthcare company that recently assumed control of healthcare services at the Fulton County Jail, is on a mission to improve care of people withdrawing from opioids in America’s jails. The company has implemented what it calls "a better approach" in helping Fulton County Jail inmates through the dangerous process of withdrawing from opioids.

NaphCare provides comprehensive healthcare to almost 30,000 patients every day in 27 jails across the country. Over the past two years alone, NaphCare has seen a 100-percent increase in the number of patients requiring medical care for opioid withdrawal in these jails.

NaphCare Chief Operating Officer Brad McLane notes the standard approach in managing withdrawals is to "monitor the patient" as they go through this difficult phase and provide medications that would lessen the impact of the symptoms.

"These patients can become very sick and can even be at risk of dying," McLane added. "Our approach to caring for these patients dramatically reduces the risks and symptoms associated with withdrawal. We have gone from patients who were too sick to get out of bed, to patients who are healthy and able to work with our healthcare professionals to tend to their other healthcare and mental health needs."

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With the addition of Fulton County, NaphCare has launched its new approach to managing opioid withdrawal in 11 jails across the country. This approach calls for administering a drug called buprenorphine to patients who have severe withdrawal symptoms. The result is that patients not only withdraw safely, but without the severe sickness that often otherwise accompanies withdrawal.

Dr. Emily Feely, chief medical officer for NaphCare, notes the company's approach to treating opioid withdrawal stems from the medical community’s evolving thinking about its dangers.

“Not long ago, medical schools taught that opioid withdrawal was not life-threatening," Dr. Feely added. "Today we know better. Opioid withdrawal can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can become life-threatening. We believe that the best approach is to prevent the withdrawal symptoms altogether by administering a buprenorphine taper, rather than allowing symptoms to manifest and managing them afterward."

NaphCare also hopes that this new approach to managing withdrawal will decrease the risk of in jail suicides.

"The correlation between suicide risk and opioid withdrawal is frequently cited in the medical literature," Dr. Feely added. "While it is difficult to quantify the impact, we believe that reducing patient suffering during opioid withdrawal will decrease the risk of patients attempting suicide in the jail."

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