Treating Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is on the rise all around the world. There are several options available for treating prescription opioid addiction adequately. These options are gathered from research in the treatment of heroin patients. These treatments include medications such as suboxone, naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine, as well as behavioural counselling approaches.

The medication naltroxone, blocks the effects of opioids and is used to treat opioid addiction and overdose. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that blocks the effects of opioids, eliminates withdrawal symptoms, and relieves the frantic drug cravings. Methadone has been used successfully for over 30 years to treat heroin addiction. Buprenprphine was approved in 2002 and can be prescribed by certified physicians in an office setting. It is long lasting, less likely to cause respiratory depression like many of the other drugs, and is well received.

Detoxification is also used for long term opioid addiction. This in itself is not a treatment. It’s primary objective is to relieve withdrawal symptoms, while the upload patient adjusts to being drug free. In order for detoxification to be effective, it is suggested that this treatment is preceded with long-term treatment that requires abstinence or incorporates a medication into a treatment program.

If you’re questioning an addiction to opioids, contact Solace Counseling, and we can be there for you.