Medication-Assisted Treatment

In 2016, more Americans died from opioid overdoses than died in the entire Vietnam War. To put that in perspective, the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. is two acres long and is home to 58,000 names of soldiers who died in battle. Within 2016 alone, more than 62,000 people died from opioid overdoses.

In 2017, more than 47,000 other Americans died from opioid overdoses, and in 2018, roughly 130 people die each day from the same cause. While these numbers have lessened since 2016 broke records, they are continuing to remain steady despite several efforts to help reduce opioid-related deaths.

The disease of addiction, whether it is to opioids or another mind-altering substance, is most effectively treated with a combination of medication (if necessary) and therapy.

When the brain is “rewarded”, it naturally wants to be rewarded again. So, when someone abuses an opioid, it can kickstart the brain into craving more opioids. Therefore, when opioids are continually abused, the brain keeps craving them as its overall functionality starts to become altered. This is exemplified through the negative behaviors and actions that users participate in.

The need for professional treatment has never been more necessary than it is now. Those who are addicted to opioids can benefit most from our medication-assisted treatment in Lexington, which combines medication and therapy into one cohesive plan.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Medication-assisted treatment has been proven to be the most effective approach to opioid addiction treatment. Over the years, this type of treatment has been tweaked here and there in order to finally reach a point where it is now known as the “gold standard” for opioid addiction. Within this program, clients benefit from the use of prescription medications and regular therapy sessions.

Our medication-assisted treatment in Lexington is not a place where those addicted to opioids go to get more opioids. While these programs provide clients with opioid-based medications, they are only administered in a manner that helps wean clients off of stronger, more potent opioids like fentanyl and heroin. When the medications offered through the program are taken as directed, they can save the lives of those striving for recovery.

These medications include the following:

Buprenorphine/Suboxone

This interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, however, does not do so fully. Despite not activating these receptors as much as methadone does, buprenorphine is still capable of minimizing the pain associated with withdrawal and curbs cravings.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which is the opposite of an opioid agonist. Instead of activating the opioid receptors in the brain, naltrexone completely blocks them. As a result, patients on naltrexone cannot achieve any type of high when if they relapsed or chose to use again. This medication, like all other medications in this type of program, lessen withdrawal symptoms and cravings so they are more manageable. Naltrexone is also used in treating recovering alcoholics.

Vivitrol

Vivitrol is an injection, much like naltrexone. However, Vivitrol is the extended-release form. It is a complete opioid agonist meaning it binds to the opiate receptors without causing a psychoactive effect. In other words, it will prevent a patient from getting high if they take a drug such as heroin and the injection itself will not cause them to get “high”. This is a very effective form of treatment for anyone with an addiction to opiates or opioids. Each injection safeguards the patient for about 30 days at a time. Before the injection can be administered, the patient has to be drug-free for 10-14 days. This grants them the option to start the treatment either after detox while still in a residential facility or if they are already in an outpatient program.

When enrolled in medication-assisted treatment, clients will be prescribed one of these medications and have it administered to them in a controlled setting. This is merely just one aspect of this type of treatment, as, throughout 99 percent of a person’s treatment, he or she will be involved in several different therapies that can help him or her recover.

Medication-Assisted Treatment in Lexington

Medication-assisted treatment programs are now available in more places than ever before. In fact, they are located in all parts of the country. Our medication-assisted treatment in Lexington has helped countless individuals put a stop to their opioid addiction and continues to help those in need by providing only the best quality care possible.

If you are addicted to opioids and need help, reaching out to medication-assisted treatment in Lexington can get you started on a path towards recovery.

When you begin this process with us, we sit down and get to know you as much as possible so that we can establish a treatment plan that is best for your needs. This will include what type of medication you will be prescribed, along with what therapies you will participate in. Of course, as you grow in treatment, your treatment plan can be altered to support your continued needs.

Get Professional Help at JourneyPure Today

There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are addicted to opioids. Millions of people grapple with the same disease that you do and reaching out to get help is the best possible thing you can do for yourself.

If you continue to abuse opioids, it will only lead to more consequences and likely an overdose. However, getting help through medication-assisted treatment in Lexington can help you put a stop to your active opioid abuse and begin developing a life of recovery.

Do not wait any longer. Call us right now.