Heroin addiction develops quickly and can have serious consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with heroin abuse, there are treatment options available to help break the cycle of addiction. Heroin abuse medication, such as buprenorphine and naltrexone, is prescribed to help reduce the cravings for heroin. These medications can help reduce withdrawal symptoms, restore normal brain function, and prevent relapse.
At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our medical staff and certified therapists can prescribe heroin abuse medications to help you or your loved one start and remain in recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, we offer effective, evidence-based heroin addiction treatment in Colorado that can help you reach your goals. Call 833.448.0127 today to get started.
Why Heroin Abuse Medication Can Help
Heroin addiction is a serious mental health issue that can have severe withdrawal symptoms no matter how long or how much you take. Even after taking heroin just once, your body forms a powerful craving for the drug and will produce potentially harmful side effects, including:
- Collapsed veins
- Lung complications
- Sexual dysfunction in men
- Liver and kidney disease
- Depression and other mental health issues
- Irregular menstrual cycles for women
The FDA has approved certain medications for heroin abuse to help combat the debilitating side effects of heroin and other opioids. These medications will coincide with a behavioral therapy program to help you better understand where your heroin addiction is coming from and begin to rebuild your life.
Types of Heroin Abuse Medications
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. It produces a similar high as heroin but with minimal pleasurable effects, helping the patient slowly reduce their cravings. When taken as prescribed, Buprenorphine is safe and effective at reducing pain and your cravings for heroin and other opioids. Buprenorphine can be administered by your regular physician as there is a low risk of abuse or overdose with this medication for heroin addiction. This medication for heroin abuse can also be taken on an outpatient basis, allowing you to continue your daily routine.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is a non-opioid that blocks the pleasurable effects of heroin and other opioids. There is little risk of abuse because it binds to the opioid receptors and prevents them from releasing endorphins responsible for the high that you feel with heroin. Over time, your cravings will diminish as your body stops associating heroin with euphoric feelings.
Naloxone
Naloxone is an emergency medication for those who have overdosed on heroin or other opioids. This medication works by blocking the effects of opioids in the body, providing a life-saving reversal of overdose symptoms. An injection or nasal spray can be administered by first responders or a family member in the instance of an overdose.
Suboxone and Vivitrol
The name-brand drugs Suboxone and Vivitrol are both effective in treating heroin addiction. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, which helps reduce cravings and prevent relapse. Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone that reduces cravings for up to four weeks.
What to Expect When You First Arrive at a Heroin Abuse Treatment Center
The team at your heroin rehab center will welcome you in and begin evaluating you right away. A thorough assessment will determine the best course of action in treating your heroin addiction. Addiction often stems from emotional stress or a traumatic event in the past, and your treatment team will help you discover the root cause of your addiction. Heroin abuse medication is always paired with behavioral therapy in order to help you understand the motivations behind your addiction and how to make positive changes.
The most effective approach to heroin addiction treatment is through a holistic lens that may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Group and individual therapy
- Family counseling
- Neurofeedback therapy
- Case management and peer support
We will monitor your progress during your heroin addiction treatment program and update your treatment program accordingly to provide you with the best possible treatment with less risk of relapse.
Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Your Best Choice for an Outpatient Heroin Addiction Treatment Program in Colorado
If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction and needs the help of a heroin rehab center, our addiction treatment center can give you the help you need. If you would like to learn more about medication for heroin abuse and how it can help break your heroin addiction, call 833.448.0127 or reach out to our team online today to speak with a member of our supportive staff.
