Medication Assisted Treatment for Heroin, Opiate, and Opioid Addiction
Effective Treatment for Drug Addiction
Medication Assisted Treatment for Heroin and Opioid Addiction
Drug addiction has become a major problem in the United States, especially with regards to heroin and opioid addiction, which are now considered as an epidemic. The situation is so severe that overdose deaths have reached levels that rival those recorded from automobile accidents and other diseases.
Unfortunately, addiction to these drugs can be incredibly difficult to overcome using standard treatment alone, due to their addictive nature. However, with help of effective drug treatment, number of medications are now available to support recovery by reducing cravings or blocking the effects of the drugs on the brain.
The good news is that there are various medical options available that have successfully treated heroin and opioid addiction, detox, and withdrawal.
Medication assisted treatment can provide hope that people struggling with addiction can finally get the help that they need and live a fulfilling life.
Below are different medical options that have shown to be successful for treating heroin and opioid addiction, detox, and withdrawal.
Opioid and Opiate Antagonist Therapy
(The following 3 Naltrexone preparations are also used for alcohol dependence)
Naltrexone – Oral
Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist that is taken orally once a day and is best when used during and after a drug treatment program. It should not be used while taking any opiate medication and should only be started at least seven days after the last use of an opiate, or 14 days after last using methadone.
Naltrexone Injection (Vivitrol)
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that can be used as a once a month Vivitrol injection that is non-addictive and blocks the effects of opioids. It can be started after completing detox to prevent relapse and is much more convenient than taking the oral version daily.
Naltrexone Implant
The Naltrexone Implant is not FDA approved for addiction treatment but is used off-label. It is the most convenient version to take because it is good for 3 months and there is no need to worry about missing a dose. It is implanted in a doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure.
Opioid and Opiate Maintenance Therapy
Like the three Naltrexone options mentioned above, the following medications are available in oral, injection, or implant treatments as heroin or opioid addiction maintenance therapies.
Buprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone, Zubsolv)
Buprenorphine is a synthetic partial agonist that does not produce a high and acts as an opioid blocker that can be taken orally (film or tablet) for detoxification, or used as a maintenance therapy during treatment. It is available in different formulations commonly known as Subutex, Suboxone, or Zubsolv.
Buprenorphine extended release Injection
Buprenorphine extended release Injection is a once a month, extended release buprenorphine injection that offers the same properties as the oral versions except it is more convenient than taking daily as it reduces the chances of missing a dose.
Probuphine Implant
Probuphine is a buprenorphine implant that lasts up to 6 months and has proven to be a successful opioid maintenance treatment for those who have shown stability during or after a recovery program. The implant is a quick and easy outpatient procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office
Opioid and Opiate Withdrawal Management Device
In addition to medication assisted treatment, there is also available a device that can be used during heroin and opioid detox instead of medication to decrease withdrawal symptoms.
NSS-2 Bridge
The NSS-2 Bridge is one of the newest FDA approved technologies to alleviate many of the uncomfortable and painful symptoms of opioid withdrawal during detox. The device is approximately the size of a hearing aid and is fitted behind the ear and delivers electrical pulses to target the amygdala. The effects can be felt in as little as 30 minutes after activation.
