BTG Fall 2018

Good Medicine Opiate blockers expand treatment options In recent years, one of the major advances in addiction treatment has been the development of medications designed to ease withdrawal from heroin and other addictive substances.

Bridging the Gap Director Melody McCreary says new drugs such as suboxone and vivitrol have expanded the options available to treat opiate addiction and alcoholism. Bridging the Gap offers medication-assisted treatment to its clients, administered by a certified addiction medicine specialist. Detox is very important to prepare an opioid-addicted client for treatment, McCreary says, since the physical effects of opiate withdrawal make it difficult or impossible for clients to focus on other aspects of treatment. Addressing the physical symptoms gives the client a much better chance of succeeding in treatment. “Medication-assisted treatment should

include setting up a treatment plan so the client can learn to live an abstinence-based lifestyle.” – Melody McCreary, Director, Bridging the Gap Services

6