Treatment

Opioid addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes. A chronic disease is a medical condition for life. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. However, a person with addiction can have a healthy, productive life with treatment.

What should I look for in a treatment program for myself or a loved one?

The Surgeon General’s Office recommends that a treatment program should have:

Personalized diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning - one size does not fit all and treatments should be tailored to you and your family.
Long-term disease management - addiction is a chronic disease of the brain with the potential for both recovery and recurrence. Long-term outpatient care is the key to recovery.
Access to FDA-approved medications.
Effective behavioral interventions delivered by trained professionals.
Coordinated care for other/co-occurring diseases and disorders.
Recovery support services - such as mutual aid groups, peer support specialists, and community services that can provide continuing emotional and practical support for recovery.

Which medications are used to treat opioid addiction?

Methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone are medications approved to treat opioid addiction.

Methadone
Methadone is an opioid. It is provided at a dose that helps stabilize the brain without causing a “high.” It is taken by mouth, usually as a liquid, and is provided through a specialized treatment center called an “opioid treatment program (OTP).”

Buprenorphine (e.g. Suboxone®)
Buprenorphine has partial activity of an opioid. It is provided at a dose that helps stabilize the brain without causing a “high.” Buprenorphine is usually taken dissolved under the tongue and can be prescribed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician-assistant who has completed additional training and is “waivered.”

Methadone and buprenorphine can decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. They work by acting on the same targets in the brain as other opioids, but they do not make you feel high. Some people worry that if they take methadone or buprenorphine, it means that they are substituting one addiction for another. This is not true. It’s important to remember these medicines are a treatment. They restore balance to the parts of the brain affected by addiction. This allows your brain to heal while you work toward recovery. Similar to taking medications for other chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, it is likely these medications will be necessary long-term (can range from years to life-long).

Naltrexone (e.g. Vivitrol®)
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids. It is taken when someone has completely stopped opioids to help prevent use. It can be taken by mouth daily or as a monthly injection.

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