The information below comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s “Medications for Opioid Use Disorder”. 

 

Opioid addiction (or opioid use disorder/OUD) is a treatable chronic disease. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to OUD treatment, but many people benefit from treatment with medication. There are 3 medication options:

 

• methadone

• buprenorphine products

• naltrexone

 

Science shows that using medication to treat OUD works. Methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine have each been found to be more effective in reducing opioid use than no medication. Methadone and buprenorphine treatment also lower the risk of overdose death.

 

People recovering from opioid use disorder tend to be more successful when they use medication along with professional counseling and a strong support system. Recovery support can include help from family or friends, meeting other people in recovery, and professional treatment. The longer people stay in treatment and make use of recovery supports, the better the outcomes.

 

If you live in the St. Louis region and need immediate help for a substance use crisis, contact Behavioral Health Response at 314-469-6644 or 1-800-811-4760.

 

You can find more information about treatment resources at:

 

• Missouri Department of Mental Health

• Opioid State Targeted Response

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Locator