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Recovering Pharmacist Wins Partial Victory in Fight Against Stigma Following Controversial Return to Work
A British Columbia pharmacist, whose path to returning to work after recovering from opioid addiction was hindered by discriminatory treatment, has won a partial victory.
After voluntarily leaving his job in 2015, the pharmacist (who remains anonymous) was denied the opportunity to return to work due to his prescribed use of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Suboxone is a medication-assisted treatment using a long-acting opioid, designed to help people recover from opioid addiction by suppressing cravings and managing withdrawal symptoms. The pharmacist joined a list of professionals facing discrimination as the reliance on medication had been used as a barrier to his return.
In 2016, combating his addiction. He learned he wasn’t fit to return to work due to his prescribed Suboxone.
The pharmacist obtained another opinion from Dr. Evan Wood, who confirmed its efficacy in supporting recovery. Off-site. He secured another opinion from Dr. Evan Wood, who endorsed Suboxone’s effectiveness in
aiding his recovery. Armed with this second opinion, the pharmacist successfully secured full-time employment in his field
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How can pharmacists better support patients with opioid use disorder, considering the stigma they may face in accessing care?
## Stigma Keeps Recovering Pharmacist From Returning to Work
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re talking about a story that sheds light on the ongoing stigma surrounding opioid addiction and recovery, even within the healthcare profession. Joining us today is a recovering pharmacist who faced significant hurdles in returning to work after battling addiction.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you share a bit about your experience?
**Guest:** Sure. I voluntarily left my job in 2015 to focus on recovery from opioid addiction. During that time, I sought treatment and started taking Suboxone, a medication that has been instrumental in my recovery. When I was ready to return to work, I was shocked to learn that my previous employer denied me the opportunity because I was on Suboxone.
**Host:** Why do you think they denied you?
**Guest:** It seems they were concerned about my use of Suboxone, despite its proven effectiveness in helping people like myself recover. There seems to be a misconception that using medication for opioid addiction means you’re incapable of functioning professionally.
**Host:** That’s incredibly frustrating, especially considering Suboxone is helping you recover and live a healthier life.
**Guest:** Exactly. It was disheartening and felt incredibly discriminatory.
**Host:** So, what did you do next?
**Guest:** I sought a second opinion from Dr. Evan Wood, a leading expert on addiction treatment. Dr. Wood confirmed Suboxone’s effectiveness and its role in my recovery. Armed with this support, I was able to secure a full-time position in my field.
**Host:** That’s a partial victory, but it also highlights the larger issue of stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. What message do you hope to share with others?
**Guest:** I hope my story encourages others struggling with addiction to seek help and know they are not alone. It’s also crucial to advocate for policies and attitudes that support recovery, rather than perpetuate stigma. We need to recognize that addiction is a medical condition, and medication-assisted treatment can be a critical tool for individuals to regain control of their lives.
**Host:** Thank you for sharing your experience and advocating for open conversations around this important topic.
