Introduction written by Mark Sasvary, Chief Clinical Officer
Most of the clients in our OMH and OASAS licensed clinical programs are prescribed medication. A small percentage of the clients we serve even come to our clinics and centers only for medication. However, we know that medication alone is not enough to help most of the clients we serve. In fact, even therapy with medication is not usually enough for the complex and vulnerable populations we serve. Our clients get the most benefit from coordinated and multifaceted care including medication, therapy, care management, peer support, and services addressing the social determinants of health that so significantly impact their lives. However, medication does play a key role in the treatment of most of our clients and the pharmaceutical industry as well as behavior and brain science ultimately impact the people we serve. Therefore, it important to know about the financial, political, and cultural influences impacting research as well as the limitations of research and the limits of the medications themselves so we can help our clients make informed decisions and choices. This article from an experienced science writer from the New York Times highlights some of the challenges and limitations of the research and “big-science” as well as the struggles faced by individuals looking for treatment and the families trying to support them.
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