What is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder?

A few pervasive stigmas surrounding OUD can get in the way of people accessing and completing treatment. As we transition through our rebrand, some signage updates are still in progress, but you’re in the right place. Our commitment to high-quality, compassionate care remains the same.

What side effects can opioids cause?

Among other things, residential rehab is sometimes recommended when a person’s home environment is not conducive to recovery. Opioid addiction treatment often entails detoxification, inpatient or outpatient rehab, and a mixture of medical and psychosocial support. Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken drug addiction treatment for a short time and as prescribed by your provider. Opioids are a class of powerful drugs used for their pain relieving and euphoric effects.

• Many rehabilitation facilities offer medically assisted detox, which can be particularly beneficial when treating opioid use disorders, as withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.
• Counseling and behavioral therapies are also treatment options for OUD.
• Support groups provide a safe and structured environment for individuals in recovery to share experiences, receive encouragement, and build a strong support system.
• Of the more than half a million opioid-related deaths, an increasing amount, nearly 70% in 2022, involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.

Outpatient Locations

Experts say psychological and social factors are the main drivers that could push you back to using. Stress and situations that remind your brain of the pleasure the drug can bring are common triggers. Successful, lifelong therapy to stay opioid-free usually involves long-term medication as well as counseling or talk therapy programs. A common medication used to treat opioid addiction is naltrexone, which blocks the opioid receptors in the brain, ultimately reducing cravings for the drug.

This part of the process happens during the ANR procedure itself. You are under sedation and do not feel any withdrawal symptoms. Once the equilibrium is achieved you are awakened and can start the recovery process. A doctor can prescribe or dispense buprenorphine in an office-based setting, meaning the drug is more easily accessible for those who require it.

The Medication Assisted Treatment that you can receive at MAT Texas is a proven effective approach to substance abuse treatment and recovery. Explore additional treatment resources and information to help you on your journey. All of the updated recommendations are designed to both improve the quality and consistency of care and reduce barriers to access to care for Americans living with OUD. The updated recommendations aim to support initiation of buprenorphine treatment in the emergency department and other urgent care settings. For example, note that all assessments do not need to be completed before initiating pharmacotherapy for OUD. Although each medication works differently, they are generally as effective as each other at reducing opioid use.

Medications to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy

Although this extra power has benefits in a medical context, it also raises your risk of an opioid overdose if you misuse opioids or use them without guidance from a doctor. Since 2016, the majority of deaths in the opioid overdose epidemic have involved synthetic opioids. Some people find hypnosis effective in helping them break through their psychological barriers to change. Hypnotherapy can be empowering and relaxing, helping someone feel more in control of their thoughts without drugs. Two examples are NA and AA, which are programs based on acceptance of the chronicity of a substance use disorder as a disease, surrender to a higher power, and fellowship among abstinent peers. Meetings are free to attend and are held every day in locations all over the world.

• Opioids can provide powerful pain relief and sedation, which makes them essential for treating severe pain, such as cancer-related pain or pain after major surgery.
• In one survey, 94% of respondents said they chose to use heroin over prescription painkillers because it was cheaper and easier to get.
• Clinicians should offer or arrange treatment with MOUD, particularly if moderate or severe.
• DEA policy changes have removed this “X-waiver” requirement and the cap on how many patients a provider could treat with buprenorphine.

Opioid Medication-Assisted Treatment Works

Residential treatment may be a better option for those needing a break from daily stressors to fully focus on recovery. Inpatient programs last 30–90 days, while outpatient and MAT programs can continue for months or years. Long-term recovery support is recommended for sustained sobriety. Staying connected to a supportive recovery community can make a huge difference in long-term success. Alumni programs and peer networks provide ongoing check-ins, social events, and mentorship opportunities to keep individuals engaged in their recovery journey. SMART Recovery is a science-based alternative to 12-step programs.

Due to their intensely calming effects, opioids have tremendously high rates of abuse which, in many cases, can lead to addiction. Unlike other opioid addiction treatments, the ANR treatment tackles both the cause and the symptoms of opioid dependency. The effectiveness of this method lies in the fact that it reverses the damage that opioids cause to the central nervous system. This term means that the medication works by blocking the activation of opioid receptors. Instead of controlling cravings and withdrawal symptoms, it works by preventing any opioid drug from producing euphoric effects.

• This approach encourages self-reflection and personal responsibility to build long-term change.
• If you’re facing challenges with opioid addiction, we’re here to support you on your journey to recovery.
• Opioids interact with nerve cells to reduce pain signals from reaching your brain.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved all three medications for treating OUD.
• These programs combine expert clinical treatment, personalized recovery plans, and luxurious accommodations, allowing patients to focus on their healing while balancing personal and professional commitments.
• Your chances of beating narcotic addiction are better with long-term maintenance therapy that includes medications along with some form of counseling or behavioral therapy.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

Some take Medicaid and federal military insurance, while others accept only private health insurance or self-payment. But because of how they bind to opioid receptors, they offer some protection against overdose from other opioids while also minimizing withdrawal symptoms. For example, if prescription opioids for cancer-related pain have improved your quality of life, your desire to continue your treatment program wouldn’t be considered a sign of OUD. Reducing your dose or switching medications may help alleviate many of these symptoms. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll always want to get professional guidance before changing your dose or taking your medication less often. Your healthcare team can help you lower your dose safely while minimizing withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction treatment professionals are typically licensed in some capacity, but state laws vary with respect to the qualifications these individuals must hold for licensure. However, hypnotherapy is a poorly understood therapy and can be controversial. In addition, its research base for efficacy in addictions is much less than for other established treatments. If you want to try the method, find a therapist who is qualified in hypnotherapy. Keep in mind that certification requirements vary by jurisdiction. Family therapy is widely used and part of a comprehensive treatment program.

If you have a personal or family history of substance use disorders, you may want to let your doctor know before your surgery. Relatively few people doing short-term opioid therapy after surgery develop chronic opioid use or OUD. A 2020 literature review of more than 1.9 million people taking opioids after surgery found that only 6.7% of them continued filling opioid prescriptions past 3 months. Among people who had never used opioids before, that rate dropped to 1.2%. If you or someone else develop any of these symptoms after taking opioids, call 911 or local emergency services immediately. The sooner you get medical attention, the better your chances of avoiding permanent brain damage or death.

The most common medications for opioid addiction include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. People will reside in a facility when attending these programs. Residential treatment programs typically offer a combination of behavioral therapies, treatment medications, support groups, and other alternative activities. They were created to foster a safe and supportive environment where recovery can be the person’s primary focus.

Care from people who get it

When the behavior of a person addicted to opioids starts to affect their partners, children, or parents, family therapy can be helpful. Sometimes, hearing from loved ones about their experiences can motivate a person dealing with substance use to change their behavior. Family therapy can help families with a member or members who are dealing with addiction, but it is especially effective for adolescents with substance use disorders. In other words, since naltrexone blocks opioid effects, it reduces the reinforcing effects of opioids even when they are ingested. Because people find that opioids are no longer reinforcing, they may be less likely to use them. DEA policy changes have removed this “X-waiver” requirement and the cap on how many patients a provider could treat with buprenorphine.