The opioid epidemic has taken a devastating toll on communities across the country, with drug overdose deaths exceeding deaths from car crashes or gun violence. In response, policymakers and healthcare professionals have ramped up their efforts to tackle the problem as quickly and effectively as possible.

One such approach has been implementing opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

OTPs deal with patients who struggle with addiction to opioids and help them overcome their dependence on these drugs. These programs are similar to traditional substance abuse rehabilitation centers in providing a safe, structured environment for those struggling with addiction.

However, unlike rehab centers that only remain open for a finite period of time and focus primarily on counseling services, an OTP offers extended stays that combine standard therapy options with medication-assisted treatment options such as methadone or buprenorphine.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, read more about what these programs do and how they can help.

What Exactly Is an Opioid Treatment Program?

An opioid treatment program is a type of treatment facility specializing in treating opioid addiction. These programs are often in the form of a specialized residential treatment facility that provides patients with a number of services, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, and, most importantly, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction.

OTPs are often preferred over standard rehab facilities for patients with opioid addiction because of the added MAT services. In many cases, these programs give patients access to a shorter detox period and a lower initial withdrawal severity than those in a standard rehab center.

However, it’s important to note that some OTPs may provide more extended detox periods than others, especially if staying on the same medication is crucial to the patient’s long-term recovery.

How Do Opioid Treatment Programs Work?

Generally speaking, treatment programs consist of a few elements, including detox, therapy, and aftercare.

During detox, patients are monitored through the process of ridding their bodies of the substances they’ve become dependent on. Most OTPs provide a medically assisted detox that utilizes drugs like methadone or buprenorphine to speed up the process and make it more comfortable for patients.

Following detox, patients are ready to begin their therapy, which is often the program’s focus. While the specific types of therapy used in OTPs vary from facility to facility, most programs include group and individual counseling, family therapy, and other support services depending on the needs of each patient.

Medication-Assisted Treatment and OTPs

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) refers to opioid-replacement therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for opioid addiction.

There are two main types of MAT: maintenance therapy and detoxification.

Maintenance therapies, such as methadone and buprenorphine, are meant to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal and cravings while providing the patient with an adequate level of opioids to prevent relapse or overdose.

Detoxification therapies, such as naltrexone, help patients withdraw from opioids while undergoing medical supervision to prevent or minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

These two therapies are staples of opioid treatment programs and are often used in conjunction with one another to provide a comprehensive level of care for patients.

In Conclusion

It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has become a massive problem throughout the country. Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.

Now more than ever, people are beginning to see how these drugs are tearing communities apart and destroying many lives. This is why there has been an increased focus on opioid treatment programs in recent years.

While each OTP is different, these programs are designed to provide patients with the tools they need to overcome opioid addiction long-term.