AN INTERVIEW ALONGSIDE UNITED STATES TRADE COMMISSION LEADING ATTORNEY MAMIE KRESSES REGARDING CRACKING DOWN ON " WONDER CURES" FOR OPIOID DEPENDENCY

While we want it weren't so, there is no simple cure for opioid dependency. Regrettably, in the face of our country's opioid epidemic, lots of opportunistic entities have actually turned up trying to market items that provide a quick repair to this chronic illness. Following a increase in the online advertising of deceptive "miracle remedies" for opioid withdrawal and addiction, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) partnered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put these misleading and manipulative online marketers on notification. To get more information, we spoke to Mamie Kresses, a senior attorney in the FTC's Department of Marketing Practices.

The National Center kratom on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA): What are the so-called " wonder remedies" for opioid dependency being marketed online?

Mamie Kresses (MK): We have seen a lot of advertising of products that declare to either deal with the signs of withdrawal and/or to assist people conquer their dependency long-lasting. The majority of these products are vitamins, minerals, or herbal blends that declare to help you make it through withdrawal, and by virtue of doing that, assist you kick your dependence more permanently.

CASA: Is there any truth to the claims these products make?

MK: We have worked with experts in the field of addiction medicine and they have actually told us there is no proof that these herbal blends will assist you get rid of the symptoms of withdrawal and there is definitely no proof they will assist you overcome addiction.

CASA: What is the harm in these products?

MK: Foregoing the opportunity to get a tested treatment, such as medication-assisted treatment, for something that is totally untested and unproven is a lost chance genuine aid and is potentially dangerous. You can not advertise a product unless it has been evaluated in a skilled and trustworthy scientific style. Especially a product declaring to deal with a severe disease such as opioid usage condition.

CASA: What are you doing to assist stop this deceptive marketing?

MK: In a joint project in between the FTC and FDA, we have sent out alerting letters to 11 companies our company believe are marketing unverified treatments for opioid addiction. We hope the effect of these letters is to get these advertisements removed and these items off the marketplace and to minimize the clutter for those who are searching for real assistance. The FTC also partnered with Drug abuse and Mental Health Providers Administration to advertise hotline resources for looking for trustworthy treatment options throughout the country.

CASA: Have you heard back from any of the business that got letters?

MK: Yes, we have received responses. We are continuing to keep track of that space and have seen numerous deceptive claims eliminated from the web. Definitely not all of them, however I think you would also find that if you were to browse for the items, some of them are no longer offered for sale. I think there has been a movement based upon the letters to correct the market in some regards.

For more information about preventing products misleadingly promoted as treatments for opioid withdrawal or addiction, take a look at this resource produced by the FTC in collaboration with SAMHSA: Getting the Right Help for Opioid Dependence or Withdrawal.

To make a complaint about a item making deceptive or unproven claims check out the FTC complaint assistant site.

And keep in mind, a remedy for dependency does not yet exist, so anything touted as such is misleading and dangerous. Addiction is a very complicated disease and, although there are interventions and treatments that can lower the signs and help people lead regular healthy lives, there is no simple fast repair.