Pinnacle Treatment Centers Releases Blog Post on Suboxone vs Methadone for Opioid Addiction Treatment

Pinnacle Treatment Centers, a group of addiction treatment centers based in Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey, has revealed that they have recently published a blog post that tackles the issue of Suboxone vs methadone for addiction treatment. The article was authored by Janice Wright MPH, LCADC, CCS, Assistant Regional Director in Pennsylvania for Pinnacle Treatment Centers. Focus is made on which of the two medications is more effective for use in medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Methadone is a schedule II-controlled medication and has been utilized for decades to help treat addiction to heroin and other opioids. It works as a long-acting, full opioid agonist, which means that it can block the activation of opioid receptors. It also helps by decreasing cravings and in reducing the impact of the withdrawal symptoms. When it is first prescribed, methadone will need to taken under the supervision of a physician and through an opioid treatment program (OTP) certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). However, once the dosages have stabilized, patients may be able to take it at home in between their visits to their OTP. The length of time in which the patient will have to take methadone will vary, depending on the individual and this will be determined with the assistance of a treatment team.

Meanwhile, Suboxone is one the bruprenorphine MATs and is also commonly used for opioid addiction treatment, combined with social support group attendance and behavioral therapy. What distinguishes Suboxone is that it has been found to be safer to use compared to methadone. Thus, it is easier to prescribe and it will not require daily visits to special methadone clinics.

Janice Wright explains, “Suboxone is an opioid partial agonist. When taken, it produces similar euphoric effects as opioids but the effect is much less than with heroin or prescription opioids. It is also long-acting so patients may not have to take it on a daily basis. When treatment is stopped, buprenorphine, or Suboxone, causes milder withdrawal than methadone.”

Both methadone and Suboxone have been found to be very helpful in treating opioid use disorders (OUDs) when taken as prescribed. However, it is important to realize that both of them may also be abused. Nevertheless, MAT is one of the most effective ways of treating OUD. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), less than 50 percent of private addiction treatment centers provide MAT despite proof of the effectiveness of these medications when combined with therapy and support groups.

At Pinnacle Treatment Centers, they make use of MAT, which has been shown to be the most effective way to treat opioid addiction based on 50 years of clinical data and research. They have found that medications like methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol can really make a difference in the prevention of relapse.

Pinnacle Treatment Centers has a team of certified and licensed clinicians, nurses, physicians, and support staff to provide a complete range of quality care for addiction. They can provide residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and MAT, using various therapeutic strategies based on the specific requirements of the patient.

With headquarters in New Jersey, Pinnacle Treatment Centers has been recognized as the leader when it comes to comprehensive treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. They are providing their services to over 29,000 patients every day in Indiana, Kentucky, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia. They have over 110 community-based locations to offer a full continuum of quality care for adult men and women suffering from addiction. The treatment that they provide include inpatient/residential treatment, partial hospitalization/care, medically-monitored detoxification/withdrawal management, intensive and general outpatient programming, MAT for opioid use disorder, and sober living.

The therapeutic strategies they employ include group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, complementary therapies, trauma support, expressive therapy, and exercise and recreation.

People who are looking for an addiction treatment center may want to check out the Pinnacle Treatment Centers website, or contact them through the phone, or via email.