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Drug Rehab Medications Used To Treat Opiate Addiction calrehabguide.com

According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, more than 1 million people in the United States are addicted to opiates. Dozens of opiates and related drugs (sometimes called opioids) have been extracted from the seeds of the opium poppy or synthesized in laboratories. The poppy seed contains morphine and codeine, among other drugs. Synthetic derivatives include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percodan, OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dila-udid), and heroin (diacetylmorphine). Some synthetic opiates or opioids with a different chemical structure but similar effects on the body and brain are propoxyphene (Darvon), meperidine (Demerol), and methadone.

Many of the people addicted to opiates got that way as a result of efforts to treat chronic pain. As a consequence of this addiction, nerve cells in the addict`s brain stop functioning normally and the body ceases to produce endorphins, which are the body`s natural painkillers. This only strengthens the addiction as the addict requires more opiates to compensate for the lack of endorphins. Luckily, there are several drug rehab medications that can help a person overcome an opiate addiction.

Treating Opiate Addiction with Subutex and Suboxone

Subutex and Suboxone both help treat opiate addiction by preventing the withdrawal symptoms a person experiences when going through detoxification treatment.

Subutex, which contains only buprenorphine, is intended to be used at the beginning of the drug rehab program. Suboxone, which combines buprenorphine and the opiate naloxone, is used as a maintenance drug. Naloxone was added to the Suboxine in order to prevent those who are addicted to opiates from abusing it intravenously. To use Subutex and Suboxone, which are distributed in both 2 mg and 8 mg tablets, the addict must place the drug beneath his or her tongue and allow the drug to dissolve.

Subutex and Suboxone have been extensively studied in over 2,000 patients. It has been proven to be safe and effective in treating opiate addiction. There are side effects, however, such as headaches, flu-like symptoms, sleeping difficulties, sweating, mood swings, and nausea. Generally, these side effects are at their worse at the beginning of usage and can last for several weeks.

Subutex and Suboxone are both listed in Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This lower rating allows it to be dispensed by specially trained doctors from their office, as opposed to Schedule II drug rehab medications that can only be dispensed in clinical settings. This has made Subutex and Suboxone more accessible to those looking to get help with their opiate addiction.

Treating Opiate Addiction with Methadone

Methadone is a rigorously well-tested medication that is safe and efficacious for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence. For more than 30 years this synthetic narcotic has been used to treat opioid addiction. Heroin releases an excess of dopamine in the body and causes users to need an opiate continuously occupying the opioid receptor in the brain. Methadone occupies this receptor and is the stabilizing factor that permits addicts on methadone to change their behavior and to discontinue heroin use.
Taken orally once a day, methadone suppresses narcotic withdrawal for between 24 and 36 hours. Because methadone is effective in eliminating withdrawal symptoms, it is used in detoxifying opiate addicts. It is, however, only effective in cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, and it is not an effective treatment for other drugs of abuse. Methadone reduces the cravings associated with heroin use and blocks the high from heroin, but it does not provide the euphoric rush. Consequently, methadone patients do not experience the extreme highs and lows that result from the waxing and waning of heroin in blood levels. Ultimately, the patient remains physically dependent on the opioid, but is freed from the uncontrolled, compulsive, and disruptive behavior seen in heroin addicts.
Withdrawal from methadone is much slower than that from heroin. As a result, it is possible to maintain an addict on methadone without harsh side effects. Many MMT patients require continuous treatment, sometimes over a period of years.
Methadone maintenance treatment provides the heroin addict with individualized health care and medically prescribed methadone to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduces the opiate craving, and brings about a biochemical balance in the body. Important elements in heroin treatment include comprehensive social and rehabilitation services.
Medical supervision is highly recommended when treating opiate addiction with methadone. While methadone is meant to help addicts taper off of opiates, oftentimes opiate addicts will abuse the methadone in much the same way as they did with other opiates. Methadone can be addictive and, since it is far less expensive than other opiates, is sometimes used as a substitute to get the high more traditionally obtained from other opiates.

Treating Opiate Addiction with Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a drug rehab medication used to assist with both narcotic and alcohol addiction. It works as an antagonist by blocking narcotic effects and decreasing cravings for opiates by competing with other drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. Unlike methadone, naltrexone is not addictive.

Naltrexone is usually taken once per day by mouth. Those who have taken any type of opiates within the past seven to ten days cannot take naltrexone, however, because it will cause withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, some doctors will inject a small amount of naltrexone into the vein or under the skin of the patient to watch for withdrawal effects before prescribing the drug. Using heroin or other ophoids in small dosages while using naltrexone will negate the effect of the medication. Taking large dosages of these illegal drugs while using naltrexone can cause serious injury or even death. Side effects of naltrexone include anxiety, upset stomach, muscle joint and pain, and nervousness.

Opiate addiction is a terrible disease. It is progressive and can, over time, be fatal. There is, however, treatment for this type of addiction. The availability of some of the above-referenced medications used to treat opiate addiction and the proliferation of quality drug rehabilitation facilities, promote recovery and stem the devastating effects of addiction for the addict, his or her family, and friends.