Opioid Abuse Treatments

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Rehabilitation Programs

In rehabilitation programs, people with opioid abuse stay in a controlled environment for 6-12 months, during which they learn to become reintegrated into society. It may be necessary to be in a detoxification center initially, where the side effects of drug withdrawal can be safely managed.

Support Groups

Similar in format to Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve-step type program that has a good record for supporting individuals who are recovering from addiction to opioid drugs.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapies to help people quit are designed to modify people’s attitudes and behaviors related to opioid abuse. In therapy, you will learn how to avoid and cope with situations in which you are most likely to use drugs.

Medications

These medications have been shown to be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms:

Methadone
Buprenorphine (Subutex)
Buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone)

When combined with therapy, these medications can help you to adjust to not using drugs. They may also help you to go through withdrawal at home, rather than at an inpatient facility.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.