Medication-Assisted Treatments For Opioid Addiction

By Yemesrach Mengesha, CRNP

Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids including prescription pain relievers is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.

Maryland is among the top five states with the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. The death rate in Maryland has consistently been above the national average since 1999, ranging from roughly 1.5-3 times the average rate.

Buprenorphine is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help people reduce or quit their use of opioids, such as pain relievers like morphine.

Approved for clinical use in October 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buprenorphine represents the latest advance in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Medications such as buprenorphine, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid dependency. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective.

Medication-assisted treatments, such as Suboxone, are available to provide adults struggling with addiction the ability to recover from opioids.