FDA Approved Medications Used for Treating Prescription Pain Pill Addiction

Suboxone

Suboxone is a sublingual tablet which contains Buprenorphine HCI as well as Naloxone HCI dihydrate. It is used for the treatment of opiate addictions such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, Lortab, Percodan, Percocet, Stadol, Demerol, Dilaudid, Codeine, Heroin, and Methadone. It is a Schedule III Narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act.

Breakthrough Addiction Recovery is compliant with the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) of 2000. This act states that the prescription use of medications in the treatment of opioid dependence is limited to physicians who meet certain qualifying requirements. Furthermore, they must have submitted written notification to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of their intent to utilize Buprenorphine HCL for the treatment of opioid dependence.

With our program, there is no need to be concerned about excessive pain or discomfort during detox. Our physician-supervised medical staff closely monitors each patient's Suboxone opiate detox. And as every individual has his or her own different needs and pain threshold, we provide a "client specific" treatment plan, which means we tailor a program for the specific individual, and let them recover at their own pace.

Suboxone is the preferred medication for maintenance treatment due to the presence of naloxone in the formulation. We will slowly adjust the medication until the maintenance dose of 16mg a day is achieved without discomfort. We will then work with you and your needs to create a timeline to gradually reduce and eventually discontinue the dosage and stop the treatment altogether.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is the first opiate-antagonist medication approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of alcoholism and opiate addiction. Some of the many benefits of treatment with Naltrexone include:

• Most patients experience dramatic reductions in craving within hours of taking the first dose of Naltrexone
• Naltrexone blocks the "high" and other effects associated with alcohol and opiate use, thereby reducing the incentive to consume alcohol or opiates while on the medication
• Naltrexone is non-habit forming, and does NOT cause physical/psychological dependency, and can be discontinued at any time without withdrawal symptoms
• Naltrexone significantly reduces the probability of relapse
• Naltrexone can be given with most other medications, including those used to treat depression and other psychiatric conditions

Opiates are a class of drugs that are extremely useful for reducing pain after surgery, fractures, chemotherapy, etc. However, when used inappropriately, these drugs become powerfully addicting. Addiction occurs when the pleasure pathways of the brain have become over-stimulated by the abuse of drugs and alcohol. This over-stimulation forces the brain to adapt to the abnormal surges caused by such abuse by demanding more frequent use of the drug to maintain equilibrium.

This uncontrollable demand by the brain is what most people refer to as "craving." Craving is the most persistent and overwhelming symptom of the disease. It can last for years, and even return unexpectedly and powerfully after being dormant. Naltrexone significantly reduces the craving, therefore increasing a person's chances for long-term success.

Naltrexone is effective against a wide variety of opiates including:

• Vicodin
• Oxycontin
• Lortab
• Percodan
• Percocet
• Stadol
• Demerol
• Dilaudid
• Codeine
• Heroin
• Methadone

Vivitrol

In the second quarter of 2006, the FDA approved a new drug called Vivitrol to help treat opiate addiction.

Vivitrol is the first and only inject able version of Naltrexone, a powerful weapon against opiate dependence. It is intended for use with those who are able to abstain from drinking in an outpatient setting. It is also indicated for use in combination with psychosocial support, such as counseling or group therapy.

At Breakthrough Addiction Recovery, we utilize Naltrexone (Revia) to reduce cravings, which has been highly effective for long term recovery. Unlike deterrent medications which may make you nauseous, Naltrexone simply and safely eliminates the "high" or "buzz" associated with opiates. In addition, it significantly lessens the physical "need" to use. Coupled with a personalized cognitive/behavioral program, Naltrexone allows the freedom to focus on the emotional and mental facet of addiction.

It has been our experience at Breakthrough that substantially all of those prescription pain pill addicts who have relapsed after our treatment program were those who for one reason or another could not or would not follow their daily regimen of Naltrexone in the prescribed dosage.