detoxification, helping people to avoid relapse by mitigating cravings and other physical symptoms of withdrawal. They have also been demonstrated to decrease criminal activity and the transmission of infectious disease.
Therapeutic treatments
Therapeutic treatments are available in outpatient and residential treatment settings. Common therapies used to combat heroin addiction include cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves modifying the patient’s behaviors and expectations while providing the person with coping skills that can help them avoid relapse. Contingency management uses a point-based system to reward negative drug tests with prizes that foster a healthy lifestyle.
It can be difficult to know which method offers the best chance at recovery. “I’ve personally seen that many people do better if they are able to participate in a structured program with therapy, and medication support as needed,” Ruwitch said, advocating for a combination of different treatment strategies. The use of pharmacological strategies in conjunction with therapy-based addiction recovery programs has been demonstrated to improve efficacy and increase retention in treatment programs.
New advancements are continually being made in pharmacological and therapeutic treatment strategies, along with alternate methods of treatment like the Bridge device. What will work best depends on the unique needs of the individual and must be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the evidence demonstrates that heroin withdrawal can be combated most effectively by a comprehensive recovery strategy that incorporates multiple avenues of treatment.
