AN INTERVIEW ALONGSIDE UNITED STATES TRADE COMMISSION LEADING LEGAL PRACTITIONER MAMIE KRESSES IN RESPECT TO CRACKING DOWN ON "MIRACLE CURES" CONCERNING OPIOID DRUG ADDICTION

While we wish it weren't so, there is no easy remedy for opioid addiction. Sadly, in the face of our nation's opioid epidemic, numerous opportunistic entities have actually popped up trying to market products that offer a quick fix to this chronic illness. Following a rise in the online marketing of kratom for sale deceptive "miracle remedies" for opioid withdrawal and addiction, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) partnered with the Fda (FDA) to put these misleading and manipulative marketers on notification. For more information, we spoke to Mamie Kresses, a senior attorney in the FTC's Division of Advertising Practices.

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

Mamie Kresses (MK): We have seen a great deal of marketing of products that declare to either treat the symptoms of withdrawal and/or to assist individuals conquer their dependency long-lasting. Most of these products are vitamins, minerals, or natural blends that claim to help you get through withdrawal, and by virtue of doing that, help you kick your reliance more permanently.

CASA: Is there any reality to the claims these items make?

MK: We have actually dealt with specialists in the field of addiction medication and they have told us there is no proof that these organic blends will assist you get rid of the symptoms of withdrawal and there is definitely no proof they will help you conquer addiction.

CASA: What is the damage in these items?

MK: Bypassing the chance to get a tested treatment, such as medication-assisted treatment, for something that is totally untried and unverified is a lost opportunity for genuine assistance and is potentially harmful. You can not advertise a product unless it has been tested in a skilled and dependable scientific fashion. Especially a product declaring to treat a serious disease such as opioid use disorder.

CASA: What are you doing to help stop this deceitful marketing?

MK: In a joint job between the FTC and FDA, we have actually sent out warning letters to 11 business our company believe are marketing unverified treatments for opioid addiction. We hope the result of these letters is to get these advertisements taken down and these items off the market and to lower the mess for those who are searching for genuine help. The FTC also partnered with Drug abuse and Mental Health Solutions Administration to advertise hotline resources for looking for reliable treatment alternatives throughout the country.

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

MK: Yes, we have actually gotten actions. We are continuing to monitor that area and have actually seen lots of deceptive claims eliminated from the internet. Definitely not all of them, however I think you would also discover that if you were to look for the items, some of them are no longer readily available for sale. I think there has actually been a motion based on the letters to fix the marketplace in some relates to.

To get more information about avoiding products misleadingly promoted as treatments for opioid withdrawal or addiction, have a look at this resource created by the FTC in partnership with SAMHSA: Getting the Right Help for Opioid Dependence or Withdrawal.

To make a complaint about a item making misleading or unproven claims go to the FTC complaint assistant site.

And remember, a remedy for addiction does not yet exist, so anything promoted as such is misinforming and unsafe. Dependency is a very complicated illness and, although there are interventions and treatments that can decrease the symptoms and assist individuals lead regular healthy lives, there is no easy fast repair.