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There are five FDA-approved anti-craving medications to treat substance use issues, as well as medications used off-label and in detox. The most common medications for addiction are buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.
Buprenorphine
Skip to: Methadone | Naltrexone
Suboxone: What Is Suboxone? How Does It Work?
Suboxone is used to treat withdrawal symptoms of opioid addiction and can be continued for months or years to stabilize the brain and prevent cravings.
How To Get Off Suboxone: Suboxone Taper Chart + Suboxone Withdrawal
When tapering off Suboxone, some people experience withdrawal symptoms. The recommended schedules can be aggressive, but go slow to stay comfortable.
Probuphine: What Happened To The Suboxone Implant?
Probuphine is the brand name of a buprenorphine implant that was used in the treatment of opioid addiction, discontinued in October 2020.
Treating Opioid Addiction While Pregnant: Are Methadone & Suboxone Safe During Pregnancy?
Doctors usually prescribe Buprenorphine (Subutex) or methadone as well as behavioral therapy to keep the mother and baby safe during pregnancy.
What’s the Difference Between Methadone and Suboxone?
Suboxone and methadone are two different medications that are both used to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone is usually the first-choice option.
What is a Suboxone Clinic?
Suboxone clinics are outpatient, used only for opioids and usually covered by insurance.
Vivitrol vs. Suboxone: Which is Best for You?
Both Vivitrol and Suboxone are anti-craving medications used to treat substance abuse issues. But, they are different medications and have different advantages and use cases.
Sublocade: The “Suboxone Shot”
Sublocade is buprenorphine (the same medication in Suboxone) given as a monthly injection. It is used to treat moderate to severe opioid addiction.
Subutex: What is Subutex? (With Photos)
The Subutex brand was discontinued in 2011, but the word is used to describe buprenorphine-only medication, as opposed to Suboxone which also contains naloxone for a safeguard.
Suboxone Dosage: How Much Suboxone Is Too Much?
Dosing the medication Suboxone correctly is important. Too much Suboxone could potentially lead to overdose, while too little can lead to relapse.
Precipitated Withdrawals: How To Prevent & Reverse (+ 2 Real Life Experiences)
Precipitated withdrawals are sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms that occur after taking a partial opioid-like Suboxone too soon after using full opioids.
The Most Common Suboxone Side Effects (Get Relief)
Suboxone has been shown to be safe, even in elderly patients and those with cancer or kidney impairment. Though, as with any medication, side effects have been reported.
Suboxone Drug Interactions
Suboxone is a safe medication with few serious drug interactions. In general, benzodiazepines, alcohol and opioids, as well as muscle relaxers, barbiturates and kratom are
Methadone
Methadone: What is Methadone? How does Methadone Work?
Methadone was the first of several medications approved by the FDA to treat opioid addiction.
Treating Opioid Addiction While Pregnant: Are Methadone & Suboxone Safe During Pregnancy?
Doctors usually prescribe Buprenorphine (Subutex) or methadone as well as behavioral therapy to keep the mother and baby safe during pregnancy.
What’s the Difference Between Methadone and Suboxone?
Suboxone and methadone are two different medications that are both used to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone is usually the first-choice option.
Types and Brands of Methadone (Methadose, Dolophine)
There are no clinical differences between the various types or brands of methadone. The milligram total of medication is what is important.
A Simple Guide to Methadone Dosing
The goal of methadone dosing is to reduce cravings and stop withdrawal symptoms without giving off the high. Dosages are constantly adjusted and monitored, per federal opioid treatment standards.
Methadone Side Effects: How To Get Relief
Methadone is generally well tolerated. Side effects can usually be relieved, sometimes even without medications. The side effects also tend to get better as the methadone dose is stabilized.
Methadone Overdose: Risks, Symptoms & Treatment
Methadone overdose occurs when someone takes more than an appropriate amount of the medication or when a high dose is mixed with drugs like benzodiazepines
Drug Testing for Methadone: How Long Does Methadone Stay In Your System?
Drug testing for methadone is uncommon, but methadone can be detected if specifically requested on a urine screen and on all other types of drug screens.
The Top 5 Methadone Myths
Misinformation about methadone stops people from getting life-saving treatment. After you read, please help spread the facts about methadone.
Methadone Interactions: How Drugs & Alcohol Interact with Methadone
While most medications are safe to take with methadone, mixing depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines and other opioids can be fatal.
A Guide To Tapering Off Methadone (With Dosing)
The protocol to prevent painful methadone withdrawal symptoms is to gradually decrease the dose of methadone by 10mg until down to 40mg. Then, decrease only 2.5-5mg until down to zero.
What is a Methadone Clinic?
A methadone clinic is a healthcare facility that is authorized to provide the medication methadone to patients struggling with opioid use disorder (ie. opioid addiction).
Naltrexone
Vivitrol: What is Vivitrol? How Does Vivitrol Work?
Vivitrol is used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. The medication is given as a shot by a medical professional once a month and helps prevent cravings.
Vivitrol Side Effects: What to Expect After the Vivitrol Injection
Vivitrol for alcohol or drug addiction is well tolerated with few side effects that are mild and generally go away with time.
Vivitrol Drug Interactions: Mixing Alcohol & Medication with Vivitrol
Vivitrol can be taken with most medications without adverse issues. The major exception is opioids. Using opioids while on Vivitrol can be deadly, while drinking alcohol while on Vivitrol is generally just unpleasant.
Vivitrol vs. Suboxone: Which is Best for You?
Both Vivitrol and Suboxone are anti-craving medications used to treat substance abuse issues. But, they are different medications and have different advantages and use cases.
All major health organizations recommend combining medications with talk therapy to treat addiction issues. There are various inpatient and outpatient options for therapy. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are becoming more common based on research of effectiveness.
Harm Reduction Definition: What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm Reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that reduce adverse consequences of the misuse of legal and illegal drugs without necessarily reducing drug consumption.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Substance Abuse – What’s Really Covered?
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield policies cover substance abuse treatment, including inpatient and outpatient rehab, as well as anti-craving medications like Suboxone or Vivitrol.
Addiction Treatment: Medications + Therapies
There are five FDA-approved maintenance medications to treat addiction, as well as medications used off-label and in detox. All major health organizations recommend combining medications with talk therapy to treat substance abuse addiction. There are various inpatient and outpatient options for therapy.
A Family Guidance Center Alternative That’s Covered By Insurance
Both Family Guidance Centers and Symetria Recovery offer outpatient opioid addiction medications with locations throughout Illinois, but with different costs and experiences.
United Healthcare Addiction Treatment Coverage
Around 17% of patients use United Healthcare insurance for their treatment here at Symetria. We are in-network with United Healthcare, work with them every day
113 Free Addiction Recovery Support Meetings in Chicago
Recovery support meetings are not required for treatment at Symetria, but help reduce feelings of isolation that are common in addiction and provide an outlet
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP: What is an IOP Program?
Unlike going away to inpatient rehab, IOP patients live at home. They come to the clinic 3-4 days a week for group and individual therapies.
IOP vs. Rehab: Which is Best for You?
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer similar therapeutic services as inpatient rehab, but patients live at home instead of at the facility.
IOP vs. PHP – what’s the difference?
IOP and PHP are both outpatient options for treating drug or alcohol addiction. While both IOP and PHP are less commitment than inpatient rehab, PHP is more intensive than IOP.
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is the official name for addiction to opioid drugs, which is a chronic brain disease. Opioids include illegal drugs like heroin, as well as prescribed pain medications like Oxycodone, hydrocodone or morphine.
How Long Does Withdrawal Last? (An Opioid Detox Timeline)
While withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant and painful, they usually begin to improve within seventy-two hours. Within a week, there should be a significant decrease in acute symptoms.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome: The Symptoms & Treatment of PAWS
PAWS symptoms can be physical, psychological, or social and can last as long as two years or even indefinitely.
ISO Drug: Stronger Than Fentanyl
The relative scarcity of fentanyl on the illicit drug market, caused by China banning its production in August 2019, caused a new deadly drug to emerge Isotonitazine, known as ISO.
Withdrawal Insomnia: How To Sleep During Withdrawals
Withdrawal is physically taxing. Restful sleep can help limit the severity of opiate detox symptoms, as well as promote healthy habits and decrease the chances of relapse.
Opioid Use Disorder: Diagnosis, Signs, Causes & Treatment
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is the official name for addiction to opioid drugs, which is a chronic brain disease. Opioids include illegal drugs like heroin, as well as prescribed pain medications like Oxycodone, hydrocodone or morphine.
Heroin Abscess (Photos + Treatment)
An abscess from IV drug use is a mass or pus & bacteria under the skin. The infection can be life-threatening.
Drugs and Pregnancy: What Happens If Your Baby Tests Positive For Drugs or Alcohol?
Doctors test for drugs while pregnant and screen newborns for drugs and alcohol. Exposures are usually reported. What happens next depends on the mother and the state laws.
Track Marks (12 Pictures): How To Prevent & Get Rid of Track Marks
Track marks are the visual damage left at the injection site of Intravenous (IV) drug use. See what track marks look like and how to prevent and treat track marks.
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