Proven Drug Addiction Treatment For Opioids

Opioid addiction is a relapsing, chronic illness, and anyone can be affected by it. However, opioid use disorder is still treatable like other chronic illnesses. Even though there is no specific treatment ideal for everyone, it is still possible to get help and recover from opioid addiction. The first step for recovery is to get treatment options and prevent death from an opioid overdose. Treatment can help people with opioid addiction get back on a healthy path by changing the disease’s effect on their behavior and brains. The main aim of opioid addiction treatment is to help affected individuals go back to being productive members of their communities, workplaces, and families.

Treatment for opioid addiction usually depends on each patient’s specific requirements. The rehabilitation can happen in different settings, going for various durations and following other models.

Evidence-dependent methods used to treat opioid addiction typically include a combination of behavioral therapy and medications. An opioid addiction recovery plan comprising medicines enhances the patient’s likelihood for success. The drugs used in opioid addiction treatment frequently promote recovery by preventing withdrawal symptoms during detox, diminishing cravings, and normalizing brain chemistry. Including medication in addiction treatment is a personal decision, but the evidence advocating for it is powerful.

Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal describes the various symptoms that an individual experiences after stopping opioid use. The symptoms can go on for up to 10 days, but most frequently between 3 and 5 days. Withdrawal is rarely dangerous, even though symptoms like sweating, cramps, and vomiting can be alarming. Medications are typically used to control opioid withdrawal, and this is referred to as withdrawal management. This method is often recommended instead of trying to quit drug use suddenly because it can result in continued abuse and stronger urges. When combined with counseling or on its own, Withdrawal management can increase the likelihood of relapse and is not enough to treat opioid addiction. The individual needs to include supportive solid approaches such as maintenance medication combined with therapy or counseling to treat this illness. A regular schedule of medication for anyone suffering from addiction is what is known as a maintenance medication.

When people with addiction go to the hospital to get help, a physician will assess and evaluate the patient’s needs and then recommend a treatment that suits their recovery needs best. Most hospitals do not admit people for addiction treatment or withdrawal unless they have another co-occurring medical condition.

Opioid use disorder can yield the best results when addressed in an inpatient or outpatient recovery program specifically for people dealing with addiction. Most of those programs incorporate medications in their treatment plans to help affected individuals transition from being physically dependent on opioids. The ideal opioid addiction treatment involves inpatient detoxification and rehab. Inpatient recovery programs have specific approaches for people suffering from opioid addiction, and they help people determine the hidden causes of their condition. It is essential to know the triggers and reasons for a patient’s substance abuse disorder to prevent setting them off in the future.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Treatment plans for opioid addiction usually comprise medication. However, the drug used will depend on certain factors, such as the treatment setting and the patient’s circumstances. Some people are going through situations like being in the criminal justice system, in pain, suffering from mental health problems, or being pregnant. The person will work with their physician to determine the best medication for their condition.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) includes using another drug to replace the opioid the individual was abusing. This is also referred to as opioid agonist treatment, and it comprises the following medications.

Methadone

This drug is always given to patients in a clinic setting and is used with counseling when adequately dispensed. It is effective for reducing cravings and relieving withdrawal symptoms during drug addiction treatment for opioids. Methadone can be used safely during withdrawal from opioids.

Naloxone in combination with Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is another drug used to ease opioid cravings by stimulating the body’s opioid receptors, but it does not have the same euphoric effect as other medications. Naltrexone works oppositely by restricting the sedative/euphoric effects of opiate drugs. However, before taking Naltrexone, the individual has to be off of any opioids. Naltrexone may be used in case of an emergency when someone has overdosed on opioids. The drug flushes the receptors in the body to reverse the harmful effects of the overdose.

Depending on the medication taken, opioid agonist treatment (OAT) works in various ways and can help affected individuals handle cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Using medication-assisted treatment enables you to focus on recovering, so you don’t have to think about getting or using opioids.

The drugs used in OAT are powerful, and the physician has to follow strict rules to ensure they are safely used. The doctor might tell the patient to sign a document agreeing to take the medicine exactly as recommended without sharing it with others. Failure to adhere to this agreement could mean the doctor is discontinuing the treatment. Depending on the drug being used, the patient will probably take one pill daily as they start the treatment. Some medicines may need to be taken less frequently after some time, and the patient might have to go to the clinic or the doctor’s office to get the medicine. The doctor can also adjust the dose based on the individual’s requirements.

It is also common for patients suffering from addiction, including opioid addiction, to relapse while on medication-assisted treatment. If this happens, the physician will amend the patient’s treatment goals and treatment plan as required to ensure everything is on the right track.

An essential part of treatment for opioid use disorder is to combine OAT with other approaches such as social support and counseling.