Is Heroin Addiction Treatment the Same as Other Narcotic Addiction Treatments?
Heroin is considered similar to prescription narcotic abuse symptoms. Patients can avoid some long-term health issues linked to opioid addiction with early treatment.
Rehabs handle heroin addiction treatments in the same manner as prescription opioids, such as detox, therapies, or physician-prescribed medications. Here is a list of treatment options:
Opioid Detox
Detox is one of the healing plans for a heroin addiction treatment. It involves the help of a medical professional to rid the body of opioids. Heroin can affect almost every system in the body.
When the body stops the supply of any addicted drug, it may experience some withdrawal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, chills, muscle aches, cravings, or extreme agitation.
Narcotic withdrawal may last for several hours to weeks, depending on the type of addiction or the period of use. Addiction treatment centers may offer medication and counseling to help manage or prevent withdrawal symptoms and avoid relapses.
Medication for Narcotic Addiction
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder helps patients to control withdrawal symptoms, reduce usage, and remain in treatment.
The best treatment may differ for each person, and each treatment plan has a medication with a unique action mechanism. The medical professionals can advise and create a plan based on a patient’s needs.
Methadone
Methadone can be a long-acting medication to help patients recover. It is only available at licensed treatment clinics and provided by medical professionals. The correct dosage can help reduce drug cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is another option for patients to choose from, as this medication can reach the same brain receptors as methadone but with less strength.
Experts may prefer using it for patients because it helps with a lower risk. The doctor may also prescribe buprenorphine and naloxone to help with withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone can help, depending on the patient, addiction level, or substance abuse type. This medication is an option but doesn’t help reduce withdrawal symptoms or cravings like methadone or buprenorphine. Naltrexone may require patients to detox before using it for the best results.
Behavioral Therapies for Opioid Addiction Treatment
Licensed mental health counselors offer behavioral therapies to help patients address addictions, offer support, and create recovery plans. Therapists may use some of the following treatments as part of a customized plan:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps to strengthen confidence in a patient’s ability to solve problems and teaches how to deal with challenges with cognitive skills.
Contingency management: Employs incentives or rewards for achieving objectives, like maintaining a pharmaceutical regimen or attending therapy.
Family therapy: Enlist loved ones to support the treatment plan.
Support groups: Connect patients with other members or patients for additional support and advice.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
Finding addiction treatment facilities is one of the first steps toward recovery. They offer various plans to help patients recover from substance addiction.
Therapy can help those struggling with heroin or prescription opioid abuse regain control of their lives by overcoming the effects of addiction. Find an addiction treatment center near you to start recovery today.
