How is opioid dependence treated?

There are a number of different medications and support programs that can be used to treat opioid dependence. Medicines used to treat opioid dependence either focus on:^1,2

• Detoxification or detox programs aiming at stopping all opioid use (abstinence)
• Management of craving and withdrawal symptoms with medications used to treat opioid dependence (also called the pharmacological treatment of opioid dependence) in order to reduce or stop illicit opioid use

Detox programs aim to help people to reduce and stop taking opioids over a short time period. The main advantage of this approach is it’s a short treatment course, however it may be associated with a risk of relapse.¹ If you decide with your doctor to choose this approach, think about how you are going to manage your lifestyle once your detox is over. Counselling or joining a support group is a good way forward and is usually recommended.

Pharmacological treatment of opioid dependence involves using medications such as buprenorphine and methadone to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms to avoid or reduce illicit opioid use. Buprenorphine is usually taken either as daily dose, under the tongue (sublingual) or in the mouth (transmucosal), or by subcutaneous (under the skin) injections once a week or once a month.^1-5 Methadone is usually taken as a daily oral dose.^1,2,6

As opioid dependence is a chronic (long-term) condition, treatment may be needed for several months to several years.² Regular use of these medicines aims to prevent opioid withdrawal, reduce cravings, reduce the use of illicit opioids such as heroin and may improve your quality of life. For people who choose this method it may help stabilise opioid use, while you make long-term changes in your life.^1,2

While medications aim to help you cope with the physical aspects of opioid dependence (cravings and withdrawal symptoms), counselling and other support services can help you deal with any underlying issues and life stressors that have the potential to cause a relapse and a return to illicit opioid use.^1,2,7 It is often advised that you change your friendships groups and remove your associations to other drug users. This should reduce your accessibility to opioids and possible influences to re-use.

Make sure that you are being honest with yourself. You need to WANT change and when you are ready.

When you speak to your doctor, it is recommended that you ask about all the different treatment options for opioid dependence and discuss with them what would be the best treatment for you.