Heroin addiction is most commonly treated through medications and/or behavioral therapies. Regardless of the treatment type, the program begins with a medically supervised detox to help heroin addicts overcome their withdrawal symptoms, which can last for up to a week.
Once treatment begins, one of several medications may be used to help prevent a relapse. They include:
*Methadone: Likely the most common medication used to treat heroin addiction, methadone is a synthetic opiate medication that binds to the same receptors in the brain as heroin. Over time, methadone reduces an addict’s desire for other opioid drugs and also helps prevent withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is typically used in conjunction with individual and/or group counseling.
*Naltrexone: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, naltrexone “is approved for treating heroin addiction but has not been widely utilized due to poor patient compliance.” Naltrexone blocks opioids from binding to their receptors in the brain, which prevents an addict from feeling the effects of an opiate drug. The medication is usually prescribed in an outpatient setting.
*Buprenorphine: This medication is a newer treatment that’s used for heroin addiction, as well as addiction to other opiate drugs. Buprenorphine generally causes fewer withdrawal symptoms than methadone, giving addiction treatment professionals another option. Buprenorphine users also tend to experience a decreased level of physical dependence as compared to methadone users. Some addicts, however, may not respond to buprenorphine and may need to continue a methadone-based treatment program.
In addition to medication, heroin addicts will typically receive behavioral treatments that are available in residential or outpatient facilities. At Challenges Addiction Treatment and Relapse Prevention Center, for example, treatment programs may include group sessions, full day treatment, neurofeedback, yoga or intensive outpatient treatment, depending on the individual. Regardless of which medication or treatment program is used, resources are available for heroin addicts who want to overcome their addiction and move forward on a path to recovery.
Image via the BBC
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