So you have questions about opioid use,
CMS is here to help…
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
When used correctly under a doctor’s direction, prescription pain medicines are incredibly helpful. However, misusing prescription opioids can lead to dependence and potentially to addiction.
What is Addiction?
You may be asking yourself if you or a loved one is truly struggling with opioid use. After all, can it really be so bad if it’s something a doctor prescribed? Even when prescribed appropriately by a doctor, the truth is, opioids can lead to physical dependence in as little as 4-8 weeks. What may have started as a tool for pain management can quickly hijack your biological reward system. The brain essentially becomes rewired to prioritize opioids above all else. Due to this, you shouldn’t view opioid addiction as a personal or moral failing, rather a physical cycle of addiction that can be broken with the right tools.
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How to Treat Addiction
Did you know that opioid addiction is the most treatable type of addiction that exists? Research shows that medication-assisted treatment (or MAT) combined with counseling is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder (or OUD). CMS combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral counseling to help you break free from opioid cravings while building the support network needed for long-term recovery.
3 FDA-APPROVED MEDICATION OPTIONS
METHADONE
BUPRENORPHINE
NALTREXONE
TREATMENT GOALS
Find the lowest possible dose of a medication that will relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a 24-hour period, allowing you to focus on recovery and live a healthy life.
HOW IT WORKS IN THE BRAIN
Opioids alter your brain chemistry by attaching to opioid receptors. This reduces your perception of pain. As time goes on, it takes more and more opioids to achieve the same effect. Opioid treatment medication blocks these receptors to varying degrees, much like your brain’s natural hormones, thus stabilizing your brain chemistry while not inducing euphoria.
Treatment and Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends MAT to treat pregnant women. MAT is often considered the safest choice for both parent and child. At CMS we offer extra support through behavioral therapy and we can help you find pre- and post-natal support. Our goal is to make sure you and your baby are well cared for and safe.
Youth Treatment
Unfortunately, opioid misuse is starting to find its way into schools. That’s why we now offer our services to adolescents under the age of 18 at our Mesa on Main location in Arizona.
