Our Services / Opioid Replacement Therapy

What is opioid replacement therapy?

Opioid replacement therapy is a treatment for people who misuse or are addicted to opioids, including heroin, oxycodone, and codeine.

Opioids are a class of drugs that effectively relieve pain. However, because of how they work on your brain, opioids are highly addictive and can increase your risk for potentially life-threatening health complications.

The goal of opioid replacement therapy is to substitute opiate medications with less addictive, legally prescribed medications to treat opiate use disorders.

What happens in opioid replacement therapy?

To reduce your reliance on opioids, Zidon Internal Medicine providers prescribe long-acting medications like methadone or buprenorphine. These are opiates that bind to receptors in your brain to ease pain but are less addictive than other opioid medications. They also won’t cause the high that you feel with other drugs.

When you begin your treatment, you may have mild side effects like sleepiness and lightheadedness. These issues should resolve within a few days.

As you continue taking the prescription medications, you should have a reduction in your withdrawal symptoms and your cravings for the drug.

The providers can determine which medication is right for you after completing a physical exam, reviewing your medical history, and learning more about your misuse or abuse of opioid medications.

What are the benefits of opioid replacement therapy?

An addiction to opioids can affect many aspects of your life, including your health, your relationships, and your responsibilities.

Because it’s difficult to overcome opioid addiction on your own, working with the providers at Zidon Internal Medicine can help you achieve long-term recovery without jeopardizing your health.

Opioid replacement therapy can:

• Reduce cravings for opioids
• Lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms
• Improve physical health
• Enhance quality of life

If you were taking opioids to treat a chronic pain condition, the providers can work with you on a treatment plan to get your pain under control. They also continue to monitor your health while you’re undergoing opioid replacement therapy to ensure you’re using the medications correctly and aren’t at risk for overdose or other serious complications.

To find out if you’re a candidate for opioid replacement therapy, call Zidon Internal Medicine today or request an appointment online.