The use and distribution of fentanyl is on the rise in Oregon and in Portland, in particular. Five Oregonians die at the hands of fentanyl every week. During the pandemic, drug overdoses – largely owing to an increase in the use and availability of fentanyl – increased by over 40% in the state of Oregon.
Why is Fentanyl Causing Such a Problem in Portland?
Well, Fentanyl is many times more powerful than other opiates, making it very easy to overdose on very small amounts of the drug. Most users who overdose on fentanyl do not realize that they are taking such a deadly dose of the drug. In fact, most don’t even realize that they are taking fentanyl at all. Because it is cheap and easy to make and transport over borders, fentanyl is making its way into many street drugs, such as methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and, of course, heroin.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Fentanyl, Heroin or Opioid Addiction in Portland?
Whether you’re looking for treatment for fentanyl, heroin or opioid addiction in the Portland metro area, there’s good news: treatment works and you can start as soon as you’re ready.
At Shanti Recovery and Wellness, we are committed to evidence-based addiction treatment. Some programs are faith-based, some are culturally influenced, others are traditional twelve step programs. While these approaches have their merit, our clinic simply follows what the science has shown us so far about what is – and what is not – effective when it comes to treating addiction and putting our patients back in the driver’s seat of their lives.
That’s why we advocate for Medication Assisted Treatment (or MAT for short) when it comes to all forms of opioid use disorder.
At Shanti, our holistic, evidence-based approach to treatment means that most opioid use disorder patients we see opt to complement therapy and nutritional counseling with some form of medication designed to help them succeed in their recovery goals.
What Kinds of Medications are Available for Fentanyl, Heroin or Opioid Addiction in Portland?
Suboxone / Naloxone / Buprenorphine
Suboxone is a brand name for a pharmaceutical addiction treatment drug that combines the active ingredients of naloxone and buprenorphine. When dosed correctly, it reduces or eliminates cravings for opioids and controls withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to transition from active opioid use into medication management of addiction.
Patients typically take Suboxone once a day as a sublingual film.
Naltrexone / Vivitrol
Vivitrol is a brand name for an addiction treatment drug called naltrexone. Vivitrol works by blocking a patient’s ability to experience a “high” when they take opioids. This function is known in medicine as an opioid antagonist. Unlike the other medications prescribed for opioid addiction, Vivitrol is not an opioid, nor is it considered a controlled substance.
Patients must achieve a period of abstinence from opioids before beginning Vivitrol treatment, which can be a hurdle for some. Vivitrol is administered via injection once per month. Many patients find this method easier to manage than a daily pill or sublingual film.
Methadone
While Shanti Recovery and Wellness doesn’t offer methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, there are several clinics in Portland that do. Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that slowly releases into the bloodstream, blocking opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone and Suboxone are both opioids, but they work very differently than street opioids.
Methadone is typically administeredon a daily schedule, usually at a clinic dedicated to dispensing the drug. Patients usually take methadone in a liquid or tablet form by mouth.
Looking for help in Portland Oregon? Ready to Make Your First Addiction Treatment Appointment at Shanti?
Interested to learn more about how we can help? Give us a call today to begin your journey to freedom from addiction!