Tapering as a Progressive Strategy: The Need for Policy Changes to Fund a Promising Addiction Treatment

With the recent rise of drug use such as heroin, benzodiapenes, and xylazine, substance misuse has increasingly affected millions of individuals across the globe. The opioid crisis in particular is a major concern that public health experts and policymakers alike combat in increasingly high numbers. In the United States alone, opioid overdose deaths have increased by over 400% since 2000, with over 69,000 deaths in 2020 alone [1]. This has led to a significant economic impact, with many citing as much as $1.5 trillion in the annual economic tool. Exacerbated by factors such as social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis has devastated many families and communities.