Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is a common substance use disorder, affecting more than two million Americans. Thankfully, treatment can reduce cravings, prevent withdrawals, and help you achieve sobriety. At Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, addiction medicine specialist and board-certified family nurse practitioner Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, and the team provide opioid addiction treatment to teens and adults. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), support groups, and traditional health care can help you maintain addiction recovery. Call Victory Treatment Program today to schedule opioid addiction treatment, or book your appointment online. 

Are opioid addiction and opioid use disorder the same?

Opioid addiction and opioid use disorder refer to the same thing –– a pattern of problematic opioid use that affects your health and/or quality of life. Many people are prescribed opioids after surgery or to manage chronic pain. These drugs are very effective at providing relief, but without strict adherence to a doctor’s recommendations, it’s easy to become dependent on their effects.

Common opioids include:

• Morphine
• Heroin
• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Oxycodone
• Opium
• Tramadol

Like alcohol addiction, opioid addiction ranges from mild to severe. Therefore, seeking professional help at Victory Treatment Program is essential if you’re concerned about your opioid use. 

What are the symptoms of opioid addiction?

Opioid addiction symptoms include:

• Having a strong desire to use opioids
• Continuing to use opioids despite them causing medical or relationship problems
• Having difficulty fulfilling responsibilities at home, work, or school
• Giving up former interests and activities to use opioids
• Needing to use more and more opioids to get the same effects

You might develop symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including nausea, headaches, shaking, and depression.

How is opioid use disorder (opioid addiction) diagnosed?

Stacey and the team review your medical records and ask about your opioid use, including the type of drugs you use, the frequency you use them, and if you use other substances like alcohol. Answer the questions honestly, as they play a key role in guiding treatment. 

You have a physical exam and blood work to assess the amount of opioids in your bloodstream, plus a psychological evaluation, and you complete an opioid-related questionnaire. 

The team compares your responses to the opioid use disorder criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). If you have at least two of the listed symptoms, they confirm your diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan.

How is opioid addiction treated?

At Victory Treatment Program, you get a tailored opioid addiction treatment program that addresses your needs. It may include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with Vivitrol® 
• Support groups
• Referrals to a mental health specialist
• Outpatient detoxification
• Intravenous (IV) therapy 

Most treatment plans include a combination of the above. Vivitrol is particularly helpful because it reduces the cravings that opioids cause. That makes it easier to stay sober without relapsing. The team monitors your progress at routine checkups and adjusts your care plan as needed.

Call Victory Treatment Program today to schedule opioid addiction treatment, or book your appointment online.