Medicated Assisted Substance Abuse Recovery, A Good Alternative?
Drug addiction is a complex illness that is often characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, compulsive drug seeking, and use that persist even in the face of devastating and often deathly consequences. The path to drug addiction begins with the involuntary; medically prescribe pain management and the voluntary act of taking drugs. Often, over time a person's ability to choose is compromised and the consumption the drug becomes a compulsive disorder. It is because of this fact, that drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions, disrupting the many aspects of an individual's life. Treatment is not simple, and effective treatment programs are a far and in between.
Addiction recovery must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society (NIDA, 2009).
Addiction is typically a chronic disease; people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Clients can require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives. Which brings us to the question of medicated assistance in substance abuse recovery, a good alternative? This is a tricky question that requires intense research and objective review. Treatment professionals are faced with a quagmire when it comes to rendering a favorable response to medicated assistance in substance abuse recovery. Medications can be used to help reestablish normal brain function and to prevent relapse and diminish cravings. “Currently, we have medications for opioids (heroin, morphine), tobacco (nicotine), and alcohol addiction and are developing others for treating stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine) and cannabis (marijuana) addiction. Most people with severe addiction problems, however, are polydrug users (users of more than one drug) and will require treatment for all of the substances that they abuse” (NIDA, 2009.)
While controversial, assisted medicated addiction treatment has become common among drug treatment facilities. It is suggested that prescription drugs are the single most effective treatment. According to a recent article entitled, “Emerging Issues in the Use of Methadone,” methadone is becoming increasingly available. “The amount of methadone distributed or delivered by the manufacturers rose dramatically from 2000 to early 2007, with increases ranging from 9 to 22 percent annually” (Emerging Use of Methadone, 2009). Drug users are abusing substances such as benzodiazepines, other opioids, cocaine, or alcohol with methadone.
Methadone, a synthetic, long-acting opioid, has been used for more than 40 years in the treatment of opioid addiction. During the past 10 years, its use for treating chronic pain has increased. For this purpose, the question is being asked; are drugs a safe and effective use in the battle of substance abuse recovery? If chemical dependence is a chronic disease that leads to the uncontrollable use of drugs and or alcohol, despite negative consequences; are prescriptions drugs a safe tool in the recovery process? Is there a safer alternative then a drug like methadone? Unlike methadone treatment, non-psychotic medications like Suboxone, are ideally suited for addicts because of the lower abuse potential; however, counselors argue that treatment medications are simply a band-aid for the underlying psychological issues behind substance abuse.
The review of this article finds that there is concern and reason to issue an advisory regarding the increase in deaths related to methadone, particularly in combination with other drugs or substances, but stresses that methadone is effective and safe in the treatment of opioid addiction and chronic pain when it is used appropriately.
In light of the rise in fatalities associated with the use of methadone, it is important to prevent harm to patients and clients who use methadone for addiction treatment and in managing chronic pain (2009.) Research into this question will provide a rational in reference to the importance of oversight, improved monitoring and intense counseling for clients using medicated assistance in the recovery process.
Much of the literature examining the controversy of medicated assistance in substance abuse recovery is split down the middle. Professionals within the counseling community are in desperate need for anything that will assist the client in breaking the cycle of substance abuse and relapsing.
"Scientific studies since the mid–1970s shows that medicated treatment can help patients addicted to drugs stop using, avoid relapse, and successfully recover their lives. Based on this research, key principles have emerged that should form the basis of any effective treatment programs” (NIDA, 2009.)
The purpose of this study is to answer the question, is medicated assistance in substance abuse recovery a good idea? The answer to this question is no easy task. Intense research and an objective review of the evidence surrounding medicated assistance in the treatment and recovery process is warrant giving the alarming death and side effects of medicated assistance in substance abuse recovery.
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