Peer support groups have tentative evidence of benefit. There is also some evidence indicating benefits in community-based overdose education and naloxone distribution programs. Buprenorphine and methadone can help decrease drug cravings. Combining pharmacologic treatments with behavioral therapy, such as support or recovery groups, can increase likelihood of overcoming addiction and reduce the risk of an opioid overdose. Individuals diagnosed with opioid dependence should be prescribed naloxone to prevent overdose and should be directed to one of treatment options available, such as needle exchange programs and treatment centers. A naloxone prescription is also recommended when risk factors for opioid overdose are present such as history of overdose, substance use disorder, or higher doses of opioids. Brief motivational interviewing can also be performed and has been shown to improve peoples motivation to change their behavior. Despite these opportunities, the dissemination of prevention interventions in the US has been hampered by the lack of coordination and sluggish federal government response.In the United States, 49 states and the District of Columbia have expanded naloxone access at a pharmacy level via standing order, protocol order, naloxone-specific collaborative practice agreement, or pharmacist prescriptive authority. Treatments
In people who have overdosed on opioids, basic life support and naloxone are recommended as soon as possible. Naloxone is effective at reversing the cause, rather than just the symptoms, of an opioid overdose. Compared to adults, children often need larger doses of naloxone per kilogram of body weight.Programs to provide drug users and their caregivers with naloxone are recommended.
Commonly used tests include a complete blood count (CBC), bone marrow examination, leukocyte telomere length test (e.g. Flow FISH), pulmonary function test, and genetic testing. Management
The mainstay of treatment in dyskeratosis congenita is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, best outcome with sibling donor. Short term therapy in initial stages is with anabolic steroids [oxymetholone, danazol] or with erythropoietin-like hormones or with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [filgrastim) all these therapies are directed to cope with effects of bone marrow failure which manifests as low red and white blood cell counts. These medications help to increase the blood components and make up for the deficiencies caused due to bone marrow failure. Dyskeratosis Congenita in regards to stem cell transplantation have to be very carefully treated with low intensity radiation/chemo to avoid potentially catastrophic effects of Host versus graft disease and toxicity to other organs affected by short telomeres which makes them very sensitive to any radiation especially the lungs, and liver. Prognosis
DC is associated with shorter life expectancy, but many live to at least age 60. Main cause of mortality in these patients are related to bone marrow failure. Nearly 80% of the patients of dyskeratosis congenita develop bone marrow failure. Research
Recent research has used induced pluripotent stem cells to study disease mechanisms in humans, and discovered that the reprogramming of somatic cells restores telomere elongation in dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) cells despite the genetic lesions that affect telomerase. The reprogrammed DKC cells were able to overcome a critical limitation in TERC levels and restored function (telomere maintenance and self-renewal).