Drug Replacement Therapy

Recovery is the process of participating in a group or program providing treatment and support for a longstanding psychological or behavioral problem, such as abuse, addiction, grief, or trauma (Melemis, Steven, 2015). As a non-addict it seems easy enough to make a decision to stop drinking and follow through with that decision when temptation presents itself, but for an alcoholic it is not the simple. However, an alcoholic struggles with the temptation on a daily bases. Relapse prevention begins with addressing social interactions, emotional triggers, and developing positive coping mechanisms. Recovery and relapse requires is a process that should be done with others around to support each step and each phase of the

behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid use disorders" (p. 2). There are two types of medications commonly used in opioid use disorder MAT; Naltrexone and Buprenorphine. "Naltrexone is

Solution l: Other drug treatment facilities use partial opioid agonists like methadone and suboxone. Suboxone is a combination of two drugs that reward a user for correct usage, block the effects of other opioids, and if misused gives a nasty hangover. The drug gives the user similar

Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) is used with opioid dependency and is an opioid replacement therapy. MMT typically replaces heroin with Methadone which is a cleaner substance than heroin, and is used to avoid withdrawal and allow the user to function normally within society. MMT has been around for the last 50 years, and research studies have been conducted to address the benefits and the complications associated with this replacement therapy. This paper will examine some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with MMT and reflect on personal ideals in accordance with MMT.

Methadone is taken in orally and survives through the digestive system so there is no need to be injected into the patient. It reaches the brain slowly, dampening the “high” that would occur with other routes of administration while also preventing withdrawal symptoms (Heroin, 2014). The advantages of using methadone for heroin addicts are its comparatively low cost and long half-life. According to the Center for Disease Control, methadone helps to restore a degree of normalcy to brain function and behavior, resulting in increased employment rates and lower risk of HIV and other diseases and criminal behavior (Methadone Maintence Treatment, 2002). However, there are a variety of different effective treatments that are available for heroin addiction, including both behavioral therapies and medications. Heroin addicts should be place on less addictive medications like Burenorphine before being placed on Methadone. Buprenorphine, overall, is safer than methadone, and it is easier for an addict to stop buprenorphine than to detox from methadone (Heroin,

In the video Opiate Addiction: Understanding Replacement Therapy, Scott Farnum talks about methadone replacement therapy. There were many topics covered in this video and the topics were introduced in a psychoeducational format. The topics covered included a brief history opioids, brain chemistry, post acute withdrawal syndrome, abstinence based treatment programs verses harm reduction, and how an individual asses the damages of opioids on the brain. As a counselor in training, I found all the information useful because I have not studied methadone replacement therapy in detail.

Combing medication with counseling and behavior therapy to treat substance abuse is Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT). It provides an “all-around” treatment approach and research shows that this treatment approach can be very successful in treating people with addictions. The treatment is mainly used for the addiction of opioids and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. All the medications used for this therapy is required to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration and if mixed with certain medications, can be fatal. MAT can be helpful for an addict going through recovery.

When they came across their old time friend they go back to alcohol and drug abuse. Also it is important to understand the limitations of the intervention and the anticipated outcomes. Treatment consists of therapy and sedatives. Treatment involves counseling by a health care professional. A detoxification program in a hospital or medical facility is an option for those who need additional assistance. Detoxification program is walk-in program. Patient sign them self in voluntary, and they can sign themselves out with in seventh-two hours voluntary also. The facility cannot compel them to stay when they decided to leave. Medications are available to reduce the desire to drink. Alcohol abuse patient came with the family and friend who support them and encourage them to attend the program. Most of them went through the same process and it work for them. Group therapy is another way to get out of alcohol and drug abuse. In the group they discuss what lead them to alcohol and drug abuse. Mostly many of them have family background, peer influence, drop out and lack of parent

The pharmacological treatments are methadone buprenorphine (subutex) , buprenorphine and naloxone (suboxone), naltrexone. There are also many opioid reversal agents used to reverse the effects of opioid intoxication such as naloxone (narcan) given as iv/im/sc by healthcare providers. It is also available as an autoinjector im/sc to be used at home by families. The behavioral therapies used to stop an opioid addiction are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Incentives, Motivational Interviewing and Group Therapy. These therapies might include addressing a patient’s motivation to change their ways, provide them incentives to stop taking drugs, help them build a resistance to drug use, replace their drug using activities with constructive and rewarding activities, help them improve their problem solving skills and help them build better personal relationships. The best way to help an addict is to educate them. The education has to follow certain criteria such as let the patient know that they will not be able to use the substances in a controlled fashion, The treatment alone is hardly ever successful so they need to go to rehabilitation to get a full recovery. Their own willpower will not help them and that they need to go to Narcotics Anonymous, that recovery is possible and many have succeeded, that after a relapse they can still stop the

Known treatments for substance use exist, but are only effective if the patient has the motivation to change his or her lifestyle (Durand, Barlow, 2016). Biological treatments include agonist substitution, antagonists and aversive treatment. Psychological treatments include Twelve Step programs such as AA, NA and CA, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for

The first phase of treatment is taking away the problem substance/activity a little at a time. There are both physical and psychological effects that happen when that person stops taking the substance, they include different obvious signs of having nausea and vomiting, the chills or start sweating, they can have muscle aches and start cramping, no sleeping for long periods of time, changes in the persons heart rate, and sometimes a fever will appear. The emotional effects will include developing depression, anxiety, irritability, and crazy mood swings. These withdrawal symptoms usually can last three to five days or even longer. They are very rarely life-threatening, having medical supervision is usually provided in treatment programs, and medications may be given to help with the discomfort of not having the substance. Behavioral therapy and counseling are important elements of treatment. Cognitive behavior treatment is often used to help patients identify, avoid, and cope with situations in which they are most likely to abuse drugs. The technique of motivational interviewing is often employed to remind people of their values, as a way of avoiding use. Family therapy may also be offered to help the patient maintain a supportive surrounding and help improve a family to function properly. Rehab programs and support groups are often needed to help patients regain necessary jobs and

There are many contributing factors and political issues that address substance abuse. Throughout the years, many researchers have designed many interventions and social policies designed to treat people who have used, abused, and became addicted to substances. Today, there are many new studies that address substance abuse at the individual, group, family, and community or policy levels. Today, there are many services that are effective for decreasing recidivism in youth who have completed a substance abuse program. A substance abuse treatment program or center is the best way to treat individuals who have abused substances.

Most addicts are constantly exposed to stress and anxiety, which is why a holistic treatment can be an option. According to the White Sands Treatment Centre, the most effective approach for Fentanyl abuse is a comprehensive, integrated treatment process. Patients may have to take other medications, such as buprenorphine, which is approved for being used during the treatment of an opioid addiction. Moreover, the process usually taken is going to a rehabilitation facility. Narconon is a known rehabilitation program, having 45 locations worldwide. The first step that they take is giving their patients doses of natural supplements in order to reduce the reactions to withdrawal and to eliminate the toxic drugs in the body. They also provide the addict with supplements to avoid symptoms. After having done objective exercises to clear one’s mind in order for them not to think back to the drug, they do an innovative detoxification. This step is taken in order to assure that any drug residue is completely gone, because opioid users experience a mental fog due to the drug. Finally, the last step taken is overcome the psychological need towards the

Treatments include support systems, rehab, jail. Maintenance of sobriety is important in keeping yourself sober by attending AA meetings. You must keep in mind though you can’t truly help someone with addiction who doesn’t want to help

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All