Take a Deep Dive into the Treatment Medications Reversing Heroin and Painkiller Drug Addiction

In the pop of just an extra dose, a prescription pain medication user becomes an abuser. In a wildly slippery slope, a painkiller drug abuser becomes a heroin addict. And just like that, the heroin addict is one high away from knocking on death’s doorstep.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Who answers? This time, Naloxone, thank goodness.

Naloxone, most commonly sold under the brandname Narcan, is a life-saving medication that within minutes reverses an opioid overdose. As the opioid crisis climbs to an alarming level that crosses every state boundary and knows no gender or ethnic divide, each American family is seemingly at risk of falling victim to this epidemic. Thankfully for Naloxone, not every opioid addict is falling victim to death.

Hospitals, ambulances, treatment centers, walk-in clinics and pharmacies across the nation are being stocked with Naloxone for its unequivocal ability to save a human life under complete distress.

Naloxone is the immediate solution for these opioid addicts who are on a long and winding road to recovery. The next stop is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is proven to be the surest path to a long-term solution.

Medication-Assisted Treatment is a critical part in fighting the opioid epidemic and healing our communities. Research has proven that this method of treatment yields positive outcomes, including:

• Reduction in the use of illicit drugs

• Reduction in criminal activity

• Reduction in needle sharing

• Reduction in HIV infection rates and transmission

• Cost-effectiveness

• Reduction in commercial sex work

• Reduction in the number of reports of multiple sex partners

• Improvements in social health and productivity

• Improvements in health conditions

• Retention in addiction treatment

• Reduction in suicide

• Reduction in lethal overdose

Methadone and buprenorphine are the leading stabilization medications that allow individuals to humanly withdraw from an opioid addiction. These medications, provided under strict laws and regulations, help patients to function physically and emotionally without impairment, allowing them to achieve better health, family support and work stability.

Methadone is the most readily administered medication to treat patients battling opioid addiction. It helps them physically stabilize so they can benefit from the comprehensive portfolio of care that they so badly need, including emotional counseling and life planning sessions.

Methadone is the preferred treatment medication for patients who have been addicted to heroin. They may be undergoing financial hardship, experiencing unsteady employment conditions and living in an unstable environment. Many times, these patients are also battling a mental disorder or may be addicted to another substance like alcohol.

Buprenorphine is a treatment medication that is best suited for patients who are addicted to prescription painkillers for a shorter length of time.

A good candidate for buprenorphine tends to be a younger demographic, individuals have social support, a stable environment, does not have a co-occurring mental disorder, more likely to be compliant with treatment guidance, and have lower risks of diversion.

Naltrexone, sold under the brandname Vivitrol, has been approved by the FDA as a treatment to prevent relapse to opioid dependence after opioid detoxification and is best suited as a relapse prevention measure.  It is recommended for patients who are free of opiates for seven to 14 days.

For patients who may have Naltrexone as an option, the key barrier of usage is the cost of the injection which ranges from $1,200 to $1,500 per shot, which is given monthly.

To learn about the complete portfolio of medication-assisted treatment provided by New Season, contact us today at 1-877-284-7074. We’re standing by to help.