Opioid Addiction Treatment Specialist

What are opioids?

Opioids, also called narcotics, are drugs meant to treat severe or chronic pain. They are most often associated with managing the side effects of surgery, or if you have experienced a major injury. Opioids are safe if used as prescribed by your doctor, but misuse of the drugs can lead to addiction or overdose.

Common opioids are fentanyl, tramadol, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. If you still have questions about opioids, contact Dr. Gentile at Wyckoff Wellness Center.

What is opioid addiction?

Opioid addiction occurs when you develop a dependency on pain medications. Addiction can happen if, instead of taking opioids as directed by a doctor, you start to take them recreationally to feel the high. 

Addiction is a chronic brain disease in which you need to use drugs to feel normal. Addiction is compulsive and hard to manage.

Questions to ask yourself if you think you or a loved one may be dependent on opioids include:

• Is opioid use causing difficulty in my relationships?
• Am I taking more than the prescribed dose?
• Are there changes in my sleep patterns or mood?
• Am I seeking out opioids from multiple doctors to have more of them?
• Am I making poor choices or putting myself or others in danger?

Talk to the professionals at Wyckoff Wellness Center today to learn more about warning signs.

What are the treatment options for opioid addiction?

There are effective medications that can help with opioid addictions. Some treatment options include buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and methadone. Buprenorphine and methadone mitigate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Naltrexone helps you prevent a relapse into opioid use, and should be used seven to 10 days after getting off opioids.

Sometimes medications are combined or used in conjunction with behavioral therapy so that the patients can manage a successful life change. Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is often used to treat opioid addiction. This treatment involves the patient use medication and participates in behavioral counseling.

Another approach to treatment is hospital care. Residential hospitals are extended-stay hospitals where you live with others who are in recovery. Inpatient or outpatient recovery programs can also be hospital-based and more focused on health care.

To discuss your medication options for opioid addiction treatment, get in touch with Dr. Gentile in Wyckoff, New Jersey. You can make an appointment by calling or going online.