Opiates are drugs that are produced from opium or a derivative of opium, and can be found both illicitly (such as with heroin) and legally with a prescription (such as codeine, hydrocodone, OxyContin and morphine). Unfortunately, both forms are widely abused due to their analgesic and sedative effects. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2007, 19 percent of all treatment admissions for substance abuse were related to opiates.
Detox
One of the first treatments for opiate abuse is detoxification. Depending on the length of time using opiates and the level of tolerance to the substance, detox can vary from in-house at a treatment center to hospital-based detox. Detox gives 24-hour medical supervision to allow an addict the ability to safely metabolize opiates out of the body. Medical supervision is recommended during detox because of opiate withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, insomnia, irritability and aching muscles. Having supervision helps ensure the patient is able to finish detox without relapsing.
Rehabilitation
After detox, many patients choose to move on to rehabilitation or "rehab". Rehab can be done both residential and outpatient. Residential treatment involves staying full time on the treatment center campus, while outpatient treatment allows patients to attend the program during the day and leave the campus at night. Rehabilitation consists of a mixture of group therapy as well as one-on-one therapy sessions. During these sessions the opiate user will learn the skills necessary to overcome their addiction, as well as will have the support of both the staff and other recovering addicts to succeed. In some cases, rehabilitation may also involve the use of prescription medications to help with the treatment process.
Methadone Maintanance
One of the most common medications used in treatment for opiates is methadone. Methadone is a synthetic lab-made opiate that gives the same chemical responses as natural opiates like heroin or OxyContin, without the reward system triggering the feeling of being "high". This allows opiate addicts to ween off of heroin and other opiates and onto supervised methadone treatments without severe withdrawal side effects. Since methadone is still a controlled substance, methadone users must travel to the methadone clinic on a regular basis to obtain treatment.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine also known as Suboxone, is another common medication used to treat opiate addiction. Buprenorphine works by targeting the opioid receptors of the brain. When an opiate enters the bloodstream, it attaches itself to the opioid receptors and illicits a euphoric feeling. Because buprenorphine has a stronger pull (affinity) to the opioid receptors, it can replace and block other opioids, like heroin, from being able to access the receptor. Buprenorphine still creates enough of a reaction to the receptor to stave off withdrawal, but not enough to illicit a strong euphoric feeling.
