Methadone maintenance and behavioral therapies are some of the longtime staples of opiate addiction treatment. But there are also some new options for rehab that could be beneficial to your long-term recovery from substance abuse. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now to learn more about opiate addiction treatment and to find rehab programs that will cater to your needs.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist medication, was only just approved for use in 2002. Since then, it has become one of the fastest-growing options for opioid addiction and has helped many individuals reach a new point in their recoveries.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Unlike methadone treatment, which must be performed in a highly structured clinic, buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid dependency that is permitted to be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing treatment access.” Patients are able to receive buprenorphine alone under the brand name Subutex or the drug prescribed with naloxone under the brand name Suboxone.
Buprenorphine is much safer from the potential of abuse than methadone. The drug has a ceiling effect that protects it from being abused in large doses to create euphoric effects, and although this can still happen, overdose and other serious issues are less likely to occur than with methadone. When naloxone is prescribed with buprenorphine, the drug precipitates withdrawal in those who attempt to crush and abuse it, adding another layer of protection.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, in early 2016, the FDA approved the first buprenorphine implant for the treatment of opioid dependence as well. If you want to learn more about buprenorphine or find rehab programs that use it, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now.
Vivitrol
Vivitrol is an injection given once every 4 weeks that helps fight opiate addiction.
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, was used for many years as an oral pharmacological treatment option for opioid abuse. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drug has been found to have issues with patient retention, as many individuals stop taking their medication because the effects it can cause in the event of relapse can be uncomfortable.
In 2010, though, a new brand of naltrexone was approved by the FDA called Vivitrol. According to the National Library of Medicine, Vivitrol “comes as a solution (liquid) to be given by injection into the muscle of the buttocks by a healthcare provider once every 4 weeks.” This new option has been found to be more successful than the original version of naltrexone, also called ReVia, for certain populations.
The drug causes very few severe side effects, except for liver damage in some patients (usually those already suffering from liver-related problems). Still, Vivitrol is usually most effective when it is used to treat those who are already highly motivated to put an end to their opioid abuse, often professionals and healthcare employees.
New Therapies
While changes in the medications patients can receive for addiction treatment are growing by leaps and bounds, there have also be changes to the way patients receive and perceive therapy. For example, nearly every rehab program now emphasizes that patients and their counselors create a positive relationship that will benefit the individual’s recovery. According to the NIDA, when patients have a positive relationship with their caregivers, they are more likely to stay in treatment longer, which is understood to be crucial to the program’s success.
In addition, holistic therapies are being adopted and explored at a faster rate by professional rehab programs that also offer behavioral therapies and medications. Yoga, meditation, massage therapy, animal therapy, dance and performance therapy, and a number of other options are being explored for their potential for helping individuals recover more quickly, improve their self-esteem, and express thoughts and feelings that may be too difficult to express in traditional therapy. As a result, these options have been studied more often for their benefits to recovering addicts and have been found to be extremely helpful.
Want to Learn More About Your Treatment Options?
The treatments for opioid addiction are changing and improving every day, and chances are you will be able to build a treatment program that suits your needs along with the rehab center of your choice. But first you have to find the best option for your safe recovery. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now; our treatment advisors are standing by.
