What is it?
Opioid dependence treatment is treatment for people who are dependent on opioids. Opioids are pain-relieving medications. There are legal and illegal types of opioids. Legal opioids can be bought over the counter or with a prescription. One of the most common illegal opioids is the drug heroin.
People become dependent to opioids when they are unable to live without the drug and constantly crave the “high”. Being dependent leads to serious health and social impacts for opioid users, their families and communities.
Opioid dependence treatment involves medications and psychosocial support. The most common medications are methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. Treatment programs aim to help improve the person’s quality of life and reduce harm related to opioid use.