Effective opioid addiction treatment options include medication-assisted treatment and behavioral health services. Years of research and evidence support these treatment services, which can maximize your chances of recovery.
Opioids are habit-forming drugs that can change how your brain works.
Opioid medications such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl are only recommended for short-term use.
Taking opioids for a long period of time can lead to an opioid use disorder, a health condition that increases your risk of physical dependence and opioid overdose.
The type of opioid treatment program that works for you depends on your history of drug use, your mental health, and the severity of your symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, involves the use of medication to reduce your opioid withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, vomiting and severe cravings. The medications used in MAT programs aer researched thoroughly.
If you or a loved one enter a MAT treatment plan, your drug use may be monitored. Following a MAT program from your addiction treatment provider can improve your chances of recovery and reduce your risk of side effects.
MAT programs are also combined with other treatment options, such as mental health services and behavioral therapy, for an effective treatment of opioid addiction.
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid used in opioid withdrawal management.
Unlike other prescription opioid drugs, methadone can reduce opioid cravings. Methadone binds to the same opioid receptors as other opioid drugs, preventing powerful opioids from affecting your body.
Methadone is prescribed by accredited drug addiction treatment centers.
Brand name methadone products used in the treatment of opioid dependence include Dolophine and Methadose.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is an effective part of MAT programs for opioid withdrawal. Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist that can block the effects of other opioid drugs, such as fentanyl, morphine, or oxycodone.
Buprenorphine and methadone are both opioid agonists that reduce withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is less potent than methadone, and may be prescribed to patients with less severe opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Brand name buprenorphine products that treat opioid use disorder may include Probuphine, Suboxone, and Subutex.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the pleasant effects of opioid drugs. It can be difficult to get high on opioids if you are taking naltrexone.
Brand name naltrexone products that can treat OUD include Vivitrol and ReVia.
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can help you quit opioids after leaving an opioid use disorder treatment program. Without CBT and other behavioral health programs, you may not have the knowledge or skills you need to avoid relapsing in the future.
The goal of CBT is to help you understand and change your reactions to stressful situations. CBT can help you learn more about yourself and choose healthy alternatives to opioid abuse.
Other Counseling & Peer Support Services
Other counseling services can help you manage and improve your mental health. Counseling and support services offered by an opioid addiction treatment program may include:
- dialectical behavioral therapy
- motivational interviewing
- group therapy
- attending support group meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous
These counseling programs can have similar goals as CBT while taking different approaches.
Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder For Many Needs
Opioid addiction treatment programs combine behavioral therapy and MAT programs with other services, such as fitness programs, temporary housing support, and medical detoxification to support withdrawal.
Inpatient and outpatient opioid addiction treatment programs can help patients with different needs. Inpatient treatment can give you 24-hour healthcare and support, while outpatient treatment can give you flexibility.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid addiction, a professional addiction treatment program can help you recover.
Contact Bedrock Recovery Center to learn if our inpatient opioid addiction treatment program will work for you or your loved one.
- Food and Drug Administration — Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medication-assisted-treatment-mat
- JAMA Network — Comparative Effectiveness of Different Treatment Pathways for Opioid Use Disorder https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2760032
- Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice — Buprenorphine vs methadone treatment: A review of evidence in both developed and developing worlds https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271614/
- National Institute on Drug Abuse — Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction https://nida.nih.gov/publications/effective-treatments-opioid-addiction
- National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment https://medlineplus.gov/opioidmisuseandaddictiontreatment.html
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Medications, Counseling, and Related Conditions https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions
