Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, Opana, etc., illicit drugs like heroin and synthetics like Fentanyl. Opioids are “downers” which means that they are more or less relaxants. Opioid prescription medications have a very high abuse potential. Common prescription opioids include sub-categories like Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Morphine. Opioids are highly addictive.
The Opioid Crisis
The scale of the current opioid crisis is massive, with millions of Americans already affected. Prevention is a symptom of this opioid crisis, however, treatment for those who are already affected is of the highest importance. Overdoses from prescription opioids are reducing life expectancy in the United States.
One of the FDA’s highest priorities is “reducing the number of Americans who are addicted to opioids and cutting the rate of new addiction” as the Food and Drug Administration stated on their website.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Most opiate addicts cannot take themselves off of opioids without professional help. Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights offers an all-encompassing medical detox program that safely removes opioids from the system. Our detox program uses medication-assisted treatment on a case-by-case basis. Medication-assisted treatment is when guests are treated using medication alongside behavioral therapies.
Our approach is individualized, but we do use anti-opioid medications to safely and comfortably taper our guests off of opiates. Our goal is to make the detoxification process as painless and safe as possible. Anti-opioid medications are used to ease symptoms of withdrawal, in addition to treating the intense cravings that our guests can go through.
Our Take on Anti-Opioid Medications
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights only uses anti-opioid medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone or Subutex) only during the detoxification process, depending on each guest’s individual case. We use these types of anti-opioid medications to safely taper guests off of opioids. Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights knows that maintenance programs using anti-opioid medications like Suboxone, Subutext, and Methadone, can be counterproductive. We do not provide anti-opioid medications like Suboxone, Subutex and Methadone on a long-term basis, under any circumstances. Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights does not use Methadone at all to treat an opioid addiction, we will never provide guests with Methadone and do not support the use of Methadone maintenance to treat opioid addiction in our treatment centers.
Anti-opioid medications are only used in Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights detox center. We only use anti-opioid medications to taper certain guests off of opioids when necessary. We also keep anti-opioid medications like Naloxone (Narcan, Evzio, etc.) stocked in our facilities in the event of an emergency— as Naloxone is only used to reverse an opioid overdose.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone, or more commonly known as Vivitrol, is a once monthly injection of an anti-opioid formula that discourages opioid use. Naltrexone can be administered only by a doctor licensed to do so. Naltrexone curbs cravings and discourages opioid use because the medication blocks the receptors in the brain that opioids affect. Because Naltrexone is an opioid blocker, users are unable to get high from using opioids, if they have received the monthly shot. Naltrexone is basically a preventative tool used to discourage opioid use. If guests are interested in this treatment, they are able to discuss this option with their case manager for their future addiction treatment measures.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, please reach out to our addiction specialists for guidance and to learn more about our treatment programs. Our addiction specialists can be reached 24/7 at (888) 907-0898. Because We Care.
