You might be curious about the best treatment choices if you or someone you know suffers from an opioid use disorder. There are numerous possibilities, ranging from peer support groups to clinical support.
Opioid addiction is a chronic condition that can be treated. It is characterized by an overpowering urge to use opioids and an increased tolerance for the drug. It also involves withdrawal symptoms when the person stops using.
Prescription Opioid Addiction
Prescription opioids relieve pain from a wide range of health conditions. They are available in many different types, including short-acting (immediate-release) opioids such as morphine and hydromorphone and extended-release opioids such as oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone.
When you take opioids long, your body develops tolerance and becomes dependent on them. This means that when you stop taking them, you may feel sick. This is called withdrawal, and it can be a sign of addiction.
A persistent brain disorder called addiction makes you want to use drugs even when you know they are bad for you. You can get over your addiction with treatment and go drug-free.
You can seek treatment for prescription opioid addiction from a physician, a recovery coach, or from opioids Somerville NJ.
These treatments can include medicines, counseling, and other ways to cope with your cravings and the hopelessness of being an addict.
Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a drug that enters the brain quickly, and it binds to opioid receptors in the reward center of the brain. This makes people feel a euphoria-like “rush” or “high.”
Addiction and abuse of heroin are associated with severe physical, mental, and emotional health issues. It can cause various long-term effects, including respiratory failure, heart disease, and stroke.
It can also be a risk factor for HIV infection and hepatitis C and B. It can also contribute to several other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
The most common way to treat heroin addiction is to use medication and behavioral therapies. This treatment approach can help restore average brain functioning and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
This treatment can also improve work and family relationships because heroin addiction often affects how people function at home and work. It can lead to stress and tension in these relationships, triggering a relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an option for people with opioid use disorder. It uses medications to normalize brain chemistry and help reestablish normal body functions.
MAT also helps to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you stop using opioids. This can allow you to live a healthy, productive life without needing drugs.
A MAT program usually includes counseling and behavioral therapies. It may be done in a sober living environment or an inpatient rehab facility.
In addition, the MAT team may prescribe naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses an overdose. Naloxone is available in many states at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.
Medication-assisted treatment is a practical approach to treating drug addiction. It can save lives, reduce relapse and improve outcomes for patients. It can also help prevent the spread of HIV and other infections and mitigate substance-related high-risk sexual behaviors.
Nonpharmacological Treatments
Nonpharmacological treatments, such as physical therapy, can be critical in treating pain, especially for patients with opioid use disorder. They can help patients manage their pain and prevent relapse when they begin to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Many best practice guidelines recommend physicians consider nonpharmacological treatment options before prescribing medications, such as reassurance, exercise, chiropractic spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and massage. These approaches can also be more cost-effective and safe than medication.
However, opioids have been widely used for chronic pain since the 1970s and are still prescribed by healthcare providers for patients with various conditions and pain-related diagnoses. They effectively reduce pain and improve function in short-term (12 weeks) randomized clinical trials, but there is limited evidence for the long-term benefits of opioids. Most studies that report pain relief in patients receiving opioids for chronic pain are observational or involve small patient populations. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the long-term effects of opioids in patients with chronic pain.
