Opioid addiction treatment has come a long way to grow into the incredibly safe and effective program available today. While each individual needs to receive their own treatment program that caters to their specific needs, it is important to be aware of the safest options available for narcotic addiction treatment and how these can be implemented into a full rehab and recovery program. If you need immediate help finding a rehab center in your area, call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) today.

Medications Used in Narcotic Addiction Treatment

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Methadone has been used for decades to treat people who are addicted to heroin and narcotic pain medicines. When taken as prescribed, it is safe and effective.” Even though methadone can be addictive when abused, many individuals are able to take the drug safely because of the maintenance program’s intensive regulations.

Buprenorphine is a safe medication for narcotic addiction rehab, especially when it is prescribed with naloxone to protect an individual from abusing it. However, it is not always the most effective medication for those who require higher doses of medication to treat their severe withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is safest when used to treat those with milder dependencies on narcotics.

Naltrexone can be safe when used as prescribed, but many individuals give up on the medication because of its side effects. This makes the drug difficult to prescribe to a large population of narcotic addicts and, in some ways, less of a generally safe option for treatment.

Using medications to treat narcotic addiction does often make the process safer for the individual because they will not experience severe cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and other issues associated with recovery. All three commonly used medications have their own risks, but the safest option for addicts is usually either buprenorphine or methadone taken exactly as prescribed.

Behavioral Therapies Used in Narcotic Addiction Treatment

It is important to stress that “counseling and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of treatment,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This is partially because these therapies have been found to be effective for nearly every type of addiction but also because they are extremely safe and carry no side effects in the way pharmacological options do. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivational enhancement, family, couples, and group therapy are all safe and effective options for narcotic addiction treatment that usually only require the individual to find a counselor with whom they feel comfortable to be successful.

What are the Safest Treatment Options for Narcotic Addicts?

The safest method of treatment for narcotic abusers is to choose a balance of behavioral therapy and medication that allows you to focus on your recovery, learn new coping techniques, and begin to change the way you think about your substance use.

Even though certain specific options are safer than others when side effects and other issues are considered, your program should reflect your needs specifically in order to be beneficial to you.

Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) today if you would like to find out more about opioid addiction treatment or find a rehab center.