3 Common Treatments For Opioid Addiction

Opioids, which are also known as narcotics, are commonly prescribed to relieve pain. This pain may stem from accidents, injuries, or underlying medical conditions. No matter what the cause, the narcotics can be helpful. Unfortunately, they can be so helpful that they are addictive for some people. As a matter of fact, opioid addiction kills about 130 Americans each day. Thankfully, help is available if you or someone you love is living with an addiction to narcotics.

Medications

You may think it is ironic that taking a medication can help reduce your addiction to narcotic medications, but there are a few that can be helpful for certain patients.

Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone focus on the same areas of the brain as narcotic medications, but they are used to ease withdrawal symptoms, helping you live in a more comfortable manner without taking the actual prescription narcotics.

Some patients will only take these medications during the initial stages of their addiction treatment, while others will utilize them for much longer periods of time.

Counseling

Most addicts abuse drugs for a reason – they may be trying to cope with an underlying mental health disorder or using as a way to reduce their emotional distress. Finding ways of coping without the use of harmful narcotics is key, and counseling can help.

Counselors who specialize in addictions to drugs and alcohol can help you determine why you are needing these coping mechanisms. Then, they will help you find a healthier way to cope, treating depression and anxiety in many cases. Some patients will also learn they have personality disorders, such as bipolar and schizophrenia.

Counseling can involve talk therapy and even therapy with your entire family. Medications may be used in conjunction with the therapy, especially if you have been diagnosed with depression or another mental health condition.

Resident/Hospital-Based Treatments

There are many patients who are able to break their addiction to opioids without entering a facility. However, treatment centers, like Bridgeway Recovery Services Inc, can be effective for many people.

By living in a facility or being admitted into a hospital, professionals will combine medication and therapy to design a plan suited to your specific needs. Staying in a facility can be helpful for reducing the risk of a relapse, too, since you will not have access to the access world, your old life, and friends/acquaintances who were part of your addictive lifestyle.

Help is available if you or someone you love is addicted to narcotics. This guide will give you a few common options to consider.