According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 1 million people in the United States have an opiate addiction in the form of a heroin addiction. This number does not include those who abuse opiates such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and other prescription painkillers. Beating an opiate addiction is a hard path due to the drugs' addictive power, but there are a number of treatment paths for opiate addiction which can be pursued.
Complete Detoxification
Complete detoxification for opiate addicts can be an intensive process, notes the Vermont Department of Health. Detoxification in a clinical setting is subject to extensive regulation that dictates how long addicts can be hospitalized, what kinds of detoxification aids they can receive and who can work with opiate addicts. Despite the regulations, clinical detoxification can minimize withdrawal symptoms through maintenance medications, physical therapy and lifestyle counseling to prevent relapses.
Medical Maintenance With Prescription Drugs
Medical maintenance programs offer alternative substances--under firm legal and clinical standards--that mimic the effects of opiates. The first approved medical maintenance drug was methadone, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is taken daily at specialty clinics. Naltrexone was the second approved medical maintenance product, but as it blocks the "high" sensation, addicts don't like to stick with it.
Buprenorphine is another popular medical maintenance drug approved by the FDA. The American Psychological Association notes that it is available outside of specialty clinics, making it easer for addicts to be consistent with their usage and to respond to behavioral retraining efforts by counselors and clinicians.
Maintenance-to-Abstinence Programs
As an alternative to a sudden detox program or a medical maintenance scheme, opiate addicts have the option to pursue maintenance-to-abstinence programs. According to OpiatesRx.com, such programs can take up to 2 years, but have the effect of gradually weaning opiate addicts off the drugs in a clinically supportive environment. The programs start with maintenance medications such as methadone or buprenorphine, and gradually taper off dosages to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Programs may close with support groups or one-on-one counseling sessions.
