Opioid Addiction
Opioids have long been used to treat acute pain or cancer-related pain, and occasionally opioids are prescribed for certain chronic, non-cancer pain as well. They can also be highly addictive substances, and the threat of abuse can become a real concern for patients who need these drugs to manage pain. Opioids fall into two major categories. There are opioid drugs that are derived from naturally occurring substances, drugs like morphine and codeine, and then there are synthetic types of opioid medications, like Oxycontin and Vicodin. In addition to these prescribed drugs, heroin is also considered an opioid.
Addictive drugs, like opioids, trigger the brain's reward system by making people feel good and want to keep taking more of the drug. Repeated abuse of prescription opioid pain relievers or heroin can cause physical changes in the brain.
The first medication for in-office treatment of opioid addiction, called Buprenorphine, has been approved. Being treated with this medication in the doctor's office means that:
- Treatment can be at a more convenient time
- People will be able to feel they no longer need the drug they were dependent on
- Treatment can be kept private
The ASAP program provides Buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependent adolescents between the ages of 12 and 21 who are living at home with a parent (s) or other adult caregiver (s). For more information, please call the ASAP line - 617-355-2727.
Click here to see the Agreement for Treatment for Suboxone.
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617-355-5433