Behavioral-health facilities sometimes worry about the potential misuse of bleeding-disorder medications or supplies—especially when treating people with substance-use or mental-health concerns.

It’s important to clarify that clotting factor products are not psychoactive substances.
They do not cause euphoria, do not alter mood, and are not painkillers or drugs of abuse.

These medications work by replacing or boosting the missing clotting factor in the blood to stop or prevent bleeding. While they may relieve pain that results from an internal bleed, that’s because they treat the bleed itself—not because they act as a pain medication.

There is no known pattern of abuse or diversion of clotting factor products. They have no street value and are not addictive.

If a person with a bleeding disorder is approved to self-infuse or self-inject, facilities can safely allow this under staff supervision. Oversight ensures that:

• The medication is administered exactly as prescribed, and

• Supplies are used only for their intended medical purpose.

With this model, self-administration can safely and effectively support both medical stability and behavioral-health goals.

Reassuring Facilities About Misuse Concerns

• “I understand your team may be concerned about possible misuse of bleeding-disorder medications or supplies—especially in a behavioral-health setting. That’s completely reasonable, and I’d like to help clarify a few things.”

• “Clotting factor products aren’t psychoactive and aren’t considered drugs of abuse. They don’t produce a ‘high,’ and they’re not painkillers—they just help stop bleeding.”

• “There’s no known pattern of abuse or diversion of these medications. They have no street value and aren’t addictive.”

• “If I’m self-administering, it will always be under staff supervision, so you’ll be able to observe that it’s given exactly as prescribed and that all supplies are used correctly.”

• “This model has worked very successfully in other behavioral-health programs. My treatment team and I are happy to share what’s worked and support your staff in setting up safe, comfortable procedures.”

“If it’s helpful, I can also send you the package insert for my specific medication. It includes official manufacturer information about how the medication works, how to administer it, and how to store it safely.”

Send the following to the facility:

• Information About Bleeding Disorder Medication and Safe Administration: Personalize this email template to provide information on the safe administration of bleeding disorder medication in a facility environment.