When managing opioid misuse and addiction, making the right intervention at the right time can save your life, or the life of a loved one. No matter how difficult it may be to pick up the phone to seek help, it’s something that must be done—we’re here to help.
If you or a loved one is battling opioid misuse or addiction, you don’t need to go at it alone. If you have health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, you can contact our Member Service team or Care Management team directly to get help on making the intervention that can put you on the path to recovery.
How to Know When to Get Help
There are some reliable signs of addiction that can help you to recognize that an intervention is necessary. You should look for:
- Loss of control over taking a medicine
- Hiding pills
- Obsessively counting pills
- Finding ways to get more of a drug by making unnecessary visits to the emergency room or a health care provider's office
- Taking a drug or medicine more often than directed
- Taking higher doses than instructed because the previous dose did not provide the same effect
- Taking a drug with other drugs or alcohol
- Crushing and snorting a pill instead of swallowing it
Be Ready in Case of an Opioid Overdose
An opioid overdose is terrifying and life-threatening, which is why it’s critically important that you’re prepared with the knowledge and medication you need to help save a life should the need arise.
Narcan (Naloxone) Can Save Lives
Massachusetts law mandates that all pharmacies have a standing order to dispense Narcan to people in need. As of July 1, 2017, all states except Nebraska have a standing order for Narcan. This means that you don’t need to get an order from a doctor to get Narcan. We do encourage you to let your health care provider know that you have Narcan. See the relevant naloxone laws in other states here.
This means you don’t have to get an order from your doctor to get an order of Narcan.
"I am emphasizing the importance of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. For patients currently taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for pain, individuals misusing prescription opioids, individuals using illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, health care practitioners, family and friends of people who have an opioid use disorder, and community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose, knowing how to use naloxone and keeping it within reach can save a life.”
VADM Jerome Adams Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service
For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members, please note that copays have been eliminated or reduced for Narcan. For more information, please review your plan or contact Member Service at the number on your ID card.
