Opioid Outpatient Treatment in Connecticut
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At Waterstone Addiction & Recovery, a premier outpatient addiction medicine practice in Connecticut, we diagnose and treat a wide range of substance use disorders, opioid addiction. Learn more about our opioid treatments below, or schedule an appointment to begin your recovery journey and live better today.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that target the brain’s opioid receptors, triggering the release of dopamine, along with other effects. They are commonly prescribed to treat conditions ranging from severe injuries to surgery recovery or chronic pain, with the primary goal of reducing the perception of pain.
However, because opioids also affect the brain’s reward pathways, they produce additional side effects. The feelings of euphoria and well-being that users often experience contribute significantly to the addictive nature of these drugs.
Doctors typically prescribe opioids as pain relievers for patients with severe or chronic pain who do not find adequate relief from non-narcotic or over-the-counter medications (e.g., NSAIDs, steroids). In addition to the risk of dependence on legally prescribed opioids, addiction to illicit opioids, such as illegally produced synthetic painkillers, has become a major issue in the U.S.
The Difference Between Opiates and Opioids
People often confuse the terms “opiates” and “opioids,” but the two are quite different. Opiates are natural substances such as opium or heroin, whereas opioids include both opiates and synthetic or partially synthetic drugs like pain medications. In essence, while all opiates are captured under the umbrella term of opioids, the reverse is not entirely true.
The misuse of opiates and synthetic opioids affects millions across the globe every year, and it’s a crisis that keeps getting worse. In Connecticut, the abuse of opiates ranks among the top drugs misused, and opioid overdoses are the number one cause of unintentional deaths in the state. It is vital to go to an addiction treatment center before it is too late to avoid overdose.
What Are Some Signs & Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder?
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive sleepiness or “nodding” off
- Sleeping for long periods, or always feeling tired
- A relaxed, nasal-sounding voice with a vocal fry
- Neglecting personal hygiene or appearance
- Itchy skin, often accompanied by absent-minded scratching of the arms, neck, face, etc.
- Withdrawal from physical contact or previously enjoyed activities
- Obsessive behavior focused on obtaining more drugs, such as frequently calling doctors for prescriptions
- Secretive behavior with money, or suddenly having large amounts of it without a clear explanation
- Developing a tolerance to the drug, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects
- Constantly chewing gum or cigarettes, rather than smoking them
- Severe constipation that may require the use of enemas or suppositories
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms, including body cramps and diarrhea (during withdrawal
Waterstone’s Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use
MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) blends pharmacological therapy and psychotherapeutic support to assist patients in managing withdrawal symptoms and overcoming addiction. The utilization of MAT is experiencing rapid growth because of its success as an intervention strategy.
While MAT is beneficial to both inpatient and outpatient clients, Waterstone specializes in providing outpatient MAT services that do not require staying overnight in any type of facility. The medications that are provided during MAT help in normalizing brain and body activity and reducing the cravings and pleasurable sensations produced by opiates and opioids. Patients are allowed to take these FDA-approved medications for months, years, or even eternally under the supervision of a physician. How the MAT modalities will be administrated is a personal choice of the individual and the healthcare practitioner, but there is no doubt that it will aid in recovery. Medications used by Waterstone include:
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist that includes buprenorphine and naloxone to treat opioid addiction. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that works with the same brain receptors that are normally triggered by opioids. However, buprenorphine does not create the same effects that opioids do. Therefore, patients will be relieved from the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal and will experience diminished cravings for additional opioid use. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist (also called an “opioid blocker”) that counteracts the effects of opioids. By diminishing the effects of opioids, patients are able to focus on the other components of recovery.
Subutex (Sublocade)
Vivitrol (Naltrexone)
Schedule A Consultation
If you believe you may be suffering from Opioid Use Disorder, it is important to see a caregiver who specializes in addiction medicine in order to properly diagnose and treat your condition. Our outpatient program is managed by a board-certified addiction medicine physician that specializes in medication-assisted treatments and psychotherapy. Call 203-826-1163 today to schedule an appointment.
