Opioid dependence and addiction are chronic medical conditions. However, early and proper treatment can help to avoid long-term health consequences.
There are three FDA-approved medications used for opioid addiction; they are as follows:
Suboxone: Suboxone is a partial agonist that effectively treats opioid addiction. It works by acting on opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings. Suboxone is the combination of the medicines Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The combination of these two medications lowers the likelihood of overdose or abuse.
Methadone: Methadone is a full opioid agonist that relieves drug cravings. Like Suboxone, it acts on opioid receptors in the brain, the same receptors that opioids activate. Methadone is more likely to be abused or overdosed when compared to Suboxone.
Naltrexone: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the euphoric effects of opioids. Naltrexone does not relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms as Methadone and Suboxone do because it is not an opioid. Naltrexone is not addictive, and if stopped, it does not cause withdrawal symptoms. It is effective at reducing cravings, similar to Suboxone and Methadone. There is no potential for abuse of Naltrexone.