I have a loved one recovering from opioid addiction currently and they went to their appointment today only to be informed going forward it’ll be $380 per session (used to be free). This applies to everyone except health care card holders.
It appears that they’ve privatised the pharmacy system behind it. Before, the medications for the treatment were dispensed by the hospital. Now they are dispensed by the nearby chemist to whom you directly pay your money.
Some people need this treatment as frequently as weekly. I guess it’s back to the drugs again for most of them or more likely even more people choking up the emergency rooms and mental health system when they can’t afford to be treated. Absolutely shocked that this has flown so far under the radar.
Edit: Did some more digging, looks like it might be the federal government cutting funding. Rip NSW too. Up to 17 addiction treatment centers are at risk of closing their doors too.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-05/opioid-treatment-funding-budget/102426466
Brah $380… if it cost more than the next hit why would any addict pay?
Your options become either go on more hardcore drugs that are covered still, go back to your doc and hope he gives you more opioids sending you back into the addict spriral where you become hypersensitive to pain again and need even more hardcore stuff, or rock up at your local emergency ward and throw yourself at the systems mercy.
Pretty grim options really.