Opiate Use Disorder, also known as Painkiller Addiction is an enormous problem for our country. It’s estimated that Opiate Use Disorder costs our economy over $30 billion per year due to loss of productivity in the work force. Not to mention, the extreme sadness and sorrow for the loved ones of those 140 Americans who die every day from non-intentional drug overdoses. Most of those lost are young and in the prime of their lives.
There are generally two treatment modalities, or models which are used to treat Opiate Use Disorder. The first treatment model is called The Abstinence Based Model, or some refer to it just as Abstinence. Using Abstinence, the person with Opiate Use Disorder does not take any form of medication to help with the cravings. Rather, he or she might attend 12-Step Support Groups, go to meetings and/or participate in other forms of therapy without the use of any medications.
Here is the problem with the Abstinence Based Model. After a person takes high doses of Opiate Painkillers over an extended period; the person’s brain manufactures more Opiate Receptors. Then, when the person doesn’t have the Opiates he or she is accustomed to taking on a regular basis; the person often experiences intense urges or cravings to use. The person become preoccupied with obtaining and using Opiates again. Often, unfortunately, addicts relapse and die while on the Abstinence Model.
The other treatment model for Opiate Use Disorder is called: Harm Reduction. The goals for the Harm Reduction Model are 1). Not to die and 2). To function better. That’s it. To not die and function better. The Harm Reduction Model is not perfect, but it is at least twice as effective as Abstinence in preventing deaths from overdoses of Opiates.
Harm Reduction utilizes Medication Assisted Treatment, sometimes called Substitution Treatment, and is the treatment model practiced at The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi. For more information about this subject, check out their website or call: 000-000-0000 today. You can pay a visit to Facebook page for more information. There’s Still Hope!
