Opioid Treatment Clinic

In September 2016, Credo added an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) to our continuum of care for the treatment of individuals struggling with an opiate/ heroin addiction. Chemical dependence is a chronic illness that can be treated effectively with counseling, approved medications and supportive services such as care management, medical services and vocational services.

Under the supervision and guidance of a physician, nurses and counselors, we are able to offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals to overcome their opiate/ heroin addiction. We offer the following MATs:

• Methadone
• Vivitrol
• Suboxone

How Does Medication Assisted Treatment Help?

Dr. Daniel Pisaniello, M.D.
Medical Director, Opioid Treatment Program

“Studies have shown that people with opioid use disorder who are on MAT (such as the ones that we offer in the OTP) are more likely to remain abstinent and less likely to overdose. We try to tailor the MAT according to what the client wants and what we think will work best for the client.  We are here to help, not to judge.  We have a very caring staff who have dedicated their lives to helping those with substance use disorders.  Everyone should know that help is available!”

Methadone

Methadone, a synthetic opioid, reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings for other opioids including heroin by acting on the same receptors in the brain as these other drugs.  At higher doses, it blocks the effects of heroin and other opioids.  Methadone is approved to be used on a daily basis, in conjunction with appropriate social and medical services, to treat individuals with opioid use disorder.  It has been used in this way successfully for 40 years .

 

Suboxone

Suboxone, approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat opioid use disorder, acts in a similar way to methadone.  It is a weaker opioid than methadone, with less risk of overdose.  Individuals in the OTP come to the agency to receive their regular doses of Suboxone.  Like methadone, Suboxone can prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms and help reduce cravings to use illicit opioids .

 

Vivitrol

Naltrexone is a non-addictive opioid blocker used in the treatment of opioid dependence.  Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors so that they are not activated.  This “blockade” action prevents other opioid drugs including heroin from exerting their effects, as long as the naltrexone remains in the body.  For an individual with opioid use disorder, naltrexone can also reduce cravings to use opioids.