Drug Abuse and Dependence

Your doctor may prescribe medicine during detoxification to ease withdrawal symptoms or during treatment to help you move away from dependence. These medicines are mainly used for dependence on heroin or other opiates.

Medicines that can help include:

• Buprenorphine, such as Subutex. Buprenorphine works by targeting the same places in the brain that opiates do. This relieves drug cravings without giving you the same high or side effects as opiates.
• Methadone, such as Dolophine. It works on parts of the brain and spinal cord to block the "high" caused by using opiates. It also helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms caused by opiate use.
• Naltrexone, such as ReVia. It blocks the effects of opiate drugs and helps reduce your craving.